With rookie mini camps around the corner and OTAs around the bend too, let’s rank the Niners top-10 offseason battles in reverse order.
10. Michael Crabtree vs. his left foot. Will Crabtree win the battle against his left foot this offseason? He’s 1-2 in his professional career when he’s faced the foot in the summer. It beat him in ’09 when it sustained a stress fracture and held him out of the Combine. It beat him with a stress fracture again last season, and he missed all of training camp. In ’10 he won the battle with his foot, but he lost the battle with his neck, so he missed the entire preseason. No matter which body part he’s faced as a Niner, he’s lost and missed every offseason. He has to reverse that trend this summer. If he wants to be a starter, he’s got to win the battle with his left foot. He can’t afford to miss any OTAs or training camp and neither can his foot.
9. Randy Moss vs. himself. Moss has no serious competition for a roster spot – he’s the only wide receiver who’s taller than 6-1. The Niners need him for their red-zone offense, which was atrocious last season, as you well know. Moss has a roster spot all but locked up as long as he doesn’t quit and his old, rickety knees don’t give out on him.
8. Ted Ginn Jr. vs. the field. If Ginn makes the team, he probably won’t see any snaps on offense – he’ll strictly be a return man. How many special-teams specialists can the Niners realistically carry on their roster? Rock Cartwright could be one. C.J. Spillman could be another. If Ginn is indeed going to be a third, he’s going to have to show that he’s way better returner than his competition.
7. Darius Fleming vs. Parys Haralson. It’s the battle of the backup outside linebackers. Aldon Smith will start and play all downs this year, so Fleming and Haralson won’t play many snaps on defense, barring injury. That means this competition could come down to which player performs better on special teams.
6. Perrish Cox vs. Tramaine Brock. When the Niners signed Cox, I assumed they wanted him as a backup punt returner, but then they drafted LaMichael James in the second round, so forget Cox as a backup punt returner. If he’s going to make the team, he’s going to have to do it on the merit of his cornerbacking, so he’s got to show he’s better in coverage than Brock, who runs a 4.37 40-yard dash, compared to Cox who runs a 4.56.
5. Joe Looney vs. Daniel Kilgore. The battle for right guard. Kilgore’s the favorite because he’s been on the team for a year and Looney’s a rookie. Kilgore’s 310 lbs. and potentially a very good pass protector for a guard. Looney’s bigger – 320 lbs., and presumably the better run blocker. The Niners traded up in the fifth round last year to draft Kilgore. This year, they gave Looney a third round grade, but they traded back a couple of times to draft him in the fourth round because they were confident no other team would draft him that high, and they were right. If the Niners view Looney as a third-round talent and Kilgore as a fifth-round talent, Looney might have a better chance to win this competition than you’d think. He’s going to have to fully recover from a Lisfranc foot injury first, though.
4. Anthony Dixon vs. Brandon Jacobs. Some people around the league refer to Jacobs as the softest big running back in the league. He’ll be 30 years old this season, so he’s only getting softer. Still, he’s scored 16 touchdowns the last two seasons. Anthony Dixon, the incumbent goal line back, has scored just four. To make the team, the 24-year old Dixon will have to completely outshine Jacobs in training camp.
3. LaMichael James vs. Kendall Hunter. If James is going to get snaps on offense his rookie season, he’s going to have to show in training camp that he’s a better player than the Niners other tiny tailback – Hunter – who has a year of NFL experience. This competition will have three parts – running, blocking and receiving. If James wants to back up Frank Gore on first and second down, he has to show he’s a better runner than Hunter, which is questionable – Hunter’s very good. If James wants to get in the game on third down, he has to show he’s a better blocker and a better receiver than Hunter, who isn’t great in those two areas.
2. Kyle Williams vs. A.J. Jenkins. This is a one-way competition. For Jenkins, there is no competition – he’s the Niners first-round pick, and he will be higher on the wide receiver depth chart this season than Williams, who probably won’t even make the team. But Williams is no slouch. In fact, he might be a better receiver than Jenkins right now. He’s quicker, he runs better routes and he’s a better blocker. If Williams can consistently outperform Jenkins this offseason, he’ll have a good chance to make the team.
1. Josh Johnson vs. Colin Kaepernick vs. Scott Tolzien. The battle for the backup quarterback job. Alex Smith is the incumbent 14-game winner, so there’s no way he loses his job in the preseason. The quarterback competition will be among the backups for the opportunity to replace Smith during the season if he struggles or gets hurt. If Johnson has an advantage, it’s that he knows the offense already because he was with Jim Harbaugh for three seasons at the University of San Diego. If Kaepernick has an advantage, it’s that the Niners traded up in the second round last year to draft him, so they’re invested in him. Also, he’s the best athlete with the strongest arm of the bunch. If Tolzien has an advantage, it’s that he’s performed the best of the three in preseason games, for whatever that’s worth.
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As far as Josh Johnson knowing Harbaugh’s offense, I think that’s a bit of a reach. It’s as much Greg Roman’s offense now as it is Harbaugh’s, and Roman wasn’t at USD all those years back. Also, Kaepernick has been in this current Niners offense for a full year. Wouldn’t you say that HE has the advantage over Johnson because of this familiarity, at least for the start of training camp?
Johnson also has better mechanics than Kaepernick, and so does Tolzien.
You can basically see this is still photos from a few days back. Johnson has a compact quick release while Kaps motion is huge when throwing. I have NO idea who wins though :P haha
When you mentioned Johnson having an edge on Kapernick in your article, “mechanics” was not the reason. You said it would likely be because of his better familiarity with Harbaugh’s offense. (Which I think is a stretch.) I’m telling you I think that’s a stretch. If you meant that Johnson’s fundamentals are better, you should have written that instead. And w/regard to these alleged mechanics, on the night he drafted Kaepernick last year, Harbaugh was asked about his unorthodox delivery and he said, “You throw like you throw” and indicated that he thought his delivery was fine. If anybody is expecting Kaepernick to develop a throwing motion like Brady or Aaron Rodgers, it’s not realistic. He’s going to be like a Randall Cunningham, whose throwing style was not conventional, but was very effective.
Grant, good point regarding Tolzien and J.Johnson having better mechanics than CK.
But between Johnson and Tolzien, I would have to say that Johnson has the ability to escape the pass rush and still make positive yardage.
Now, I firmly believe that Harbaugh envisions CK as somewhat of a wild stallion who given the proper coaching can become and surpass the levels of the two aforementioned.
CK (when ready) can be the X-factor type QB who could beat you with his arm and legs. Perhaps a bigger and stronger M.Vic who would flourish in Harbaugh’ offense in the not to distant future.
I thought when the 9ers signed JJ it was due to dissatisfaction with CK. It’s something that could be debated but will be played out in training camp. This team is loaded and like the Bill Walsh teams every player has a role and when called upon must deliver or they’re gone.
Grant,
I look forward to seeing you proven wrong (again?) about this Backup QB Competition.
You know there’s a reason why Baalke & Jimbo moved up in the 2nd Round to get K-Gun. They must of saw something in him because you certainly don’t make Draft Move like that on a whim. Let the games begin!
Mugs, that was brilliant writing. Succinct and well thought out. Kudos.
@Mugs
Good point…I see a lot of posts saying that the Stanford players knew the offense better because they had it in college w/Harbaugh; likewise USD players. Do you really believe that it is not markedly different from 3-5 years earlier?….and against Pros instead of college players and coaching staffs? Harbaugh is no dummy, and aside from a similiar ‘jargon’, there’s not much resembling what they had in college under his tutelage that they can rely on having a head-start on. Just throw the balls out on the field and turn them loose. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest…
The basic philosophy remains the same. Power running versus finesse. Short passes with run after the catch versus the bomb. High percentage plays versus a lot of gimmick plays. The things that may have changed are blocking schemes, pass patterns and protection schemes. The basic concepts remain the same. How you accomplish it may have changed. I think now they have a better balance between power and speed as well as power and finesse.
“[LaMichael James has] got to work on his hands in those situations, returning punts,” Harbaugh said. “That may be X-amount of time before he’s really able to do that. We have a pretty darn good returner in Ted Ginn right now. That’ll definitely create a possibility down the road for us.”
James will not replace Ginn as the return man. Too many fumbles in college for James.
I don’t think you know what you’re talking about
I’ll trust OregonNiner regarding James’ college performance.
James will be fine I watched every move this guy had at Oregon. He is one electric back can score anytime he touches the ball.
No doubt James was electric in college but the NFL is a different speed. In a way his situation reminds me of Reggie Bush, a scat back when he came in the league but someone who has developed and is able to run between the tackles. Ginn provided a level of sure handedness and explosion that was the best I’ve seen by a 9er. Try and think back and name a better return man? I can’t maybe you can.
“Williams, who probably won’t even make the team.”
“…he’ll have a good chance to make the team.”
You say Williams probably won’t make the team, then you explain why he is better than Jenkins and say that he has a good chance to make the team.
Other than that, pretty good article Grant.
Profootball Focus just named Justin Smith the #2 overall player in the NFL after Aaron Rogers. What a beast: http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/05/03/no-2-justin-smith-de-san-francisco-49ers/
He’s a bad man. So bad, he made All-Pro at TWO positions.
Justin is an incredible player. Strong, quick and smart, and, most important, a leader and a classy guy. He deserves a SB ring (at least).
I hope he will get it this season.
@Averton
I plan on getting him more than one.
:- )
“He’s 1-3 in his professional career when he’s faced the foot in the summer.” Factually incorrect: Its actually 1-2 against the left foot Grant. The other injury was his neck.
I meant one for three, but I fixed it.
I think you are mistaking if you don’t think Ginn has a few Fly Sweeps on offense this year. I’m guessing he averaged 10 yards a pop on those plays and I can assure you they will find a way to keep running them (Are you suggesting AJ or LaMike take over this role?)
Manningham will run the fly sweeps this year. He ran them all the time at Michigan. Ginn won’t see the field on offense.
I want to see LaMichael run those fly sweeps. That could be deadly.
I agree. He’d thrive on that play.
My opinion but I don’t see Manningham doing it either. He is fast, but not sub 4.4 fast like AJ, Ginn, and LaMike. I also think you are overlooking the position LaMike was drafted for: Darren Sproles 2.0 (Harbaugh even said that). That means he gets his own set of playes in the playbook, ala Delanie Walker, that are totally unique to his skill set. Think Sporles or Percy Harvin.
4.4 fast is fast enough for the fly sweep.
If James is going to get on the field his rookie season in a Sproles 2.0 role, that playing time is going to come at Kendall Hunter’s expense. That’s my point.
You should add Cam Johnson to the battle with Fleming and Haralson. I think there is a good shot that they all might make the roster.
Johnson is a bit more of a Project compared to Flemming. In fact some scouts doubted he could be converted an OLB. If he does stick on the 53 man roster, it would probably be as a pass rush specialist much like Aldon was last year.
Johnson has the talent to have been chosen in Rd 3-4, but teams doubted his ability to be a 3 down player due to his Sickle Cell trait which causes him to fatigue more quickly.
If he can develop into a pass rush specialist he could have a nice career here.
No, Johnson was considered “high cut”, “stiff in the hips” and straight-linish….ie..not flexible. In fact his primary trait is his strength at setting the edge. He’s also known explosion and strong hands for shedding blockers. Good lower body strength. Good speed for backside pursuit. But he was projected to be a LEFT End. That’s on the Strong Side…not usually where the primary pass rusher lines up.
I’ve said before, it would not surprise me if the Niners project Johnson as a base End if he bulked up. He will probably be tried at Linebacker…heck one of the previous coaching regimes tried Justin Smith at OLB…which thankfully didn’t work out.
I see the obvious logic with the Moss argument, but I believe the reason we have gotten so much depth at WR is BECAUSE of Moss. He by no means has a roster spot sewn up. The lack of guaranteed cash ensures he will WORK HARD to get his spot on the team but he may just not have left what they’re looking for from him. I think the competition at WR will come down to K.W. and R.M. battling out a roster spot, and I predict K.W. will earn his spot. I think he wants it more and the need to prove himself may drive him to excel this season.
Guess that leaves us with no tall guys.
Is that feasible, or am I crazy here?
Grant – Do you think Brett Hundley is the guy in Westwood? My UCLA roommate coached against him in High School (He is a DeLa Salle Coach) and said he was an absolute stud and full of potential.
Hundley has to be the guy this year – Prince and Brehaut had their shots and they’re no good. But Devin Fuller is UCLA’s QB of the future. He’ll probably red shirt this season, though.
You don’t think Boone can crack the starting lineup?
No, not unless he overtakes Anthony Davis at right tackle. Boone is the back up swing tackle.
Maiocco reports that Boone will be in competiton for the right guard spot. Harbaugh has always stated that the best players will play and if Boone can make that transition, which I think he will based on his experience, he can be the starting RG.
I agree FDM, I know he plays high but he has shown fortitude and keeps getting better.
What about the possibility of Davis shifting to RG and Boone taking over at RT? Long shot, but I like that scenario best. This will allow Kilgore another year to develop and potentially take over for Goodwin next season at center.
I firmly believe that Harbaugh will do what it takes to get the best 5 OL combination in place, and if that means moving Davis to RG then that’s what he’ll do. But to be honest, I think the best 5 won’t result in Davis shifting to guard – I’m expecting him to really come on this year at RT. And I don’t think Boone will be as good a guard as he is a tackle, so most likely that one of Kilgore, Person, Looney or Slowey wins the RG spot.
well, i’ve disagreed with your assesment of Harelson for the past week or so. you leave out the possibility that Harelson continues to start in base Defense. It’s a no brainer that the team will give Aldon Smith every chance to prove he’s developed into an every down linebacker. But think about it from a conservative coach’s point of view. Last year worked fine. If it aint broke, why fix it? Harelson is under contract for another year. If Aldon hasn’t shown 100% capability as a stand up linebacker in training camp, why risk having him start in the base defense? Again, there’s no reason what worked last year won’t work again this year….it’s a no risk solution. I give this scenario a 1 in 3 chance of happening as I believe the Niners will really try to get Aldon Smith on the field more. But I wouldn’t completely discount Harelson’s chances as another year starter or as a valued and experienced back-up.
(ya know with all the pro Harelson posts I’ve made, I should get some sort of PR fee from Harelson’s agent…).
I’d say Father Time is also Randy Moss’s biggest competition. Moss is also in competition with Jenkins. If Jenkins shows his pro day speed which was faster than scouts had him rated (4.4s vs. sub 4.3s) on the field running deep routes at Split End and is able to beat press coverage then Moss could be in trouble. I’m assuming that Manningham starts at the X position with Moss as the back up and with Manningham moving to the slot and Moss moving to X in 3WR packages. But if Jenkins develops, then I could see Moss on the bubble.
I think you’ve left out Boone as one of the primary competitors for the right guard spot. In fact some (one or two of the other beat writers) say he may be the front runner. I’m not sure about that, but I do think he has to be seriously considered over Looney for the Right Guard spot.
I really dont mean to play the spelling card, but I couldn’t stand you misspelling Haralson’s name over and over again even more so since you want a fee from his agent!
Michael Crabtree’s only challenge isn’t his left foot. Simply stated, he’s too slow. I would wager to say if you gathered all the starting wide receivers in the NFL at the end of last season and ran 40s, Crabtree easily would be in the slower half. And, I would not be surprised if 3/4 of the WRs would have outrun him.
If there are only two WRs on the field on the first play from scrimmage this year they are likely to be Moss and Manningham.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Crabtree gets traded during camp. But, then, who would want him? Can you honestly imagine any other contender trading more than a used blocking sled for him?
40 times are not critical to success at WR. Look no further than Jerry Rice. Functional speed is more important. Crabtree has decent functional speed. He needs to work on his route running and better conditioning according to JR.
Dallas would take him and he would want to be there.
Yeah, the guy was the leading receiver for a team that went to the NFC Championship game. He caught 72 passes for 874 yards on a team that only had one other decent receiver. How could anyone possibly want him on their roster?
Ask BS, I mean DS, he will explain it to you. He believes that Crabtree could get cut!?!?bwahahahaha! He’s a dimwit! (that DS guy)
About 200 posts, 8 hours, and not a single insult.
Then guess who shows up, and in “it’s” first post, throws an insult out in post #1.
Mr.Welcher arrives all pi$$ and vinegar!
Wouldn’t be like high school without the bully character. :P
Just blow it off, it doesn’t mean anything.
It would be better.
PS My high school didn’t have a bully character. Kicked their butts out. Junior High did. And high school was WAYYY better for that fact alone.
Crabtree needs to stick at Flanker. Last year (and the year before I think) Morgan was the Flanker and Crabtree was the Split End. For whatever reason they liked to send Crabtree on those Split End deep routes. When Morgan was injured they moved Crabtree to Flanker.
Traditionally the Flanker doesn’t rely on just speed to get open. He works with the Tight End or Slot Receiver who can help to clear coverage and vice versa. More than speed (though it certainly helps) the Split End must recognize coverages and and how they will effect his route(s), how the coverage will effect the Tight End or Slot Receiver’s route(s) and how the QB will read it. So running good and precise routes is critically important at Flanker.
Crabtree saved Christmas for the Niners against the Seahawks on that split end deep route. He also burned Nnamdi Asomugha from the X. He’s a better split end than flanker – he isn’t quick enough to play flanker.
@Grant
“Crabtree saved Christmas for the Niners against the Seahawks”
No doubt. That was the best catch I ever saw him make (and count). If you have any tape of it Grant, notice how much space he leaves AS on the sideline to give him some wiggle room.
On a lot of the sideline passes to the receiver (not just MC, but Walker as well) the receiver ran right on the sideline. So if the pass was off at all, it would be out of bounds.
MC on this route, left AS plenty of space. Although AS didn’t need it on this particular pass. I think that gave him confidence to throw that one up there.
Grant, how many times did we see them send Crabtree on a 9/fly route that went nowhere. You would be justified in saying that a fair amount of the blame was on Alex Smith who doesn’t throw the deep ball outside the numbers very well. But most of the time Crabtree simply wasn’t open. Seriously, it happened at least once a game going back to the 2010 season.
Burning Asomugha last year wasn’t much of a feat. The Eagles took a pro bowl press man Corner and had him playing deep zone. Nnamdi was toasted most of last year because of misuse.
Traditionally the X has to have deep speed because he’s the one (usually) sent on deep routes. I think you’ll agree that Crabtree isn’t a speedster. If Crabtree has any hope of taking it up another level, it’s by being quick (enough) and by running precision routes. It’s no coincidence that Crabtree posted his best numbers last year when he was moved to Flanker and was the primary target with Vernon playing on his side drawing coverage away from him.
I’m saying Crabtree is a better split end than flanker. He had some good moments at X last season in crucial moments against tough competition – the Seahawks and the Eagles games come to mind. To me he’s a bad flanker, an average split end and a good slot possession receiver.
we’re going to have to agree to disagree.
2 good deep plays IMO does not make up for 15 or so games of failed fly routes (I’m not kidding just about every game there was at least one failed deep ball to Crabtree).
Split End/X should be a deep threat. Again, I think we all agree that Crabtree isn’t a speedster even with a good foot much less a chronically injured one. I don’t think he scares opponents enough to back off their coverage….they don’t think he’s going to blow the top off of the coverage. Heck, Ginn is scarier. At least he has the speed to blow by coverage and get open…..it’s just he isn’t reliable at catching the ball. But I bet he’s considered a scarier deep threat than Crabtree. Hopefully Moss, Manningham or Jenkins will provide an even better option at Split End…a deep threat that can also catch the ball.
Again, Crabree had his best season statistically at Flanker. I’m not sure how you can ignore that over 2 highlight plays.
Finally, I’ll agree with you about Crabtree out of the slot. But then of course he’s usually matched against nickel backs, safeties or linebackers so he should have a match up advantage.
He played well at flanker against the Rams, who had terribly slow CBs last season. He’s too slow to play flanker. He doesn’t get any YAC from that spot.
I’m not saying he’s a good split end. He isn’t. He’s best from the slot, where he can get a clean release from the line of scrimmage, match up against a lesser defender and work the middle of the field.
I can’t remember where I read it but I’m sure I read in the past few months that the 49ers are wanting to use Crabtree more from the slot this season. I think that will help improve his production.
If Moss doesn’t work out, Crabtree will have to line up at split end frequently.
I think you’re right Grant. None of the WRs on the roster other than Moss and Crabtree have the size to play split end and consistently beat the jam. Guys like Jenkins and Manningham need to play off the line of scrimmage.
Scooter,
Moss doesn’t beat press coverage by size. He’s tall but he’s actually kind of skinny (200 – 201o lbs…for a 6’4″). He out runs them. Actually he runs deceptive routes by changing up his speed…contrary to popular belief 9/Fly routes aren’t about just running as fast as you can.
I don’t know why Crabtree is though of as big. He’s 6’1″ (some have him rounded up and listed at 6’2″) and about 215 lbs. He’s solid but it’s not like he’s overpowering anybody.
Jenkins is 5’11″ – 6′ (and 3/8 by some measure). or so and about 192 lbs. So he’s not exactly tiny.
Manningham is relatively skinny at 6′ and 185 lbs. Again, if he runs good deep routes with his speed he can be a viable Split End/Flanker too.
I never saw Jenkins catch one contested jumpball/deepball in his college career. He’s fast, but I don’t think he’ll be a split end/flanker deep threat in the NFL. He’ll be a slot possession receiver like Crabtree, only smaller and faster.
Grant,
If all plays out as expected, what role do you see for Jenkins in 2012? I see him as the 4th receiver getting about 10-15 plays per game.
As long as Moss, Manningham and Crabtree are healthy, I don’t think Jenkins will get 10-15 plays at WR. In that scenario, I think he’ll get less.
I do think he’ll be the other kick returner across from Ginn in place of Hunter.
Jenkins may start as 4, but he wil end the season higher on the pecking order. History strongly suggests that a #1 WR does not remain a #4 all thru the season. And history is the best way to predict the future.
Nobody spends a 1st pick on a 4th WR. When does that happen? Wasn’t Stokes #3 when he started, and that was with JR on the team!
DS,
Stokes may have been #3, but that ’95 team was very weak at WR once you got past Rice and Taylor.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1995.htm
Grant, every pre-draft scouting report I read on Jenkins, listed Jenkins as a possible X receiver with “enough speed to stretch a defense” and Slot receiver.
But based on some of the scouting reports that mention his ability to find soft spot in zones, I could possibly see him at Flanker too.
jack
And who is our #3 WR? A guy who was #3 on his last team? Or a 35 year old WR who nobody cared for last year? Or a WR who has not lived up to his billing? Or a WR who fumbled 2x in the title game? Or a returner who had more TD’s returning it than as a WR, despite starting more than a few games?
There is not a single well established current threat at WR on our team. Much less 3 as you are implying.
If you mean to tell me our WR position is better now than it was with JR/JT on our team , I’d say you need to see that chiropractor of yours again. You’re not balanced.
Grant, possession receivers don’t usually run 4.38 40′s. Now granted there’s more to running a deep route than a 40 time but it’s certainly an indicator of having the ability to use top end speed to get deep. Also scouting reports say (as you do as well) that Jenkins is quick. In fact specifically “quick in and out of his breaks to get separation”.
Emmanuel Sanders is that fast, and he’s a possession receiver. Percy Harvin, too.
Grant,
“Lean, fast, slippery “X” receiver boasting playmaking perimeter speed combined with quickness to separate short-to-intermediate.”
http://cache.profootballweekly.com/prospects/player/a-j-jenkins-8/
I’ve seen that, and I disagree. I guess they see Jenkins as the next Reggie Wayne. We’ll see how Jenkins handles the press and jump balls and how he improves his route running. I don’t think he’ll develop into an X like Wayne, but we’ll see. I’m open minded.
“Jenkins has a very good feel in coverage and has deceptive jets to gain a step and track the deep ball
downfield”
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1630897/aj-jenkins
He tracked the deep ball well against Northwestern when he was wide open, but he didn’t put any contested jumping catches on film. DHB is fast and he can catch a wide open pass down the field, but he can’t beat corners for jump balls.
Every scouting report mentions that Jenkins needs to work on his strengths for beating press coverage. That’s not in question. If he didn’t have anything to work on he’d probably have been a higher 1st round pick.
You seem hung up on jump balls for some reason. As if that’s the primary requisite for the Split End position?
To be a deep threat, you have to be able to catch deep passes, many times contested jumping ones. NFL CBs run 4.3s, too.
If healthy Randy Moss will be the #3 receiver.
According to Baalke in a recent interview the 49ers wanted him last year, but were told he wasn’t interested.
Grant,
You’re probably too young to remember but Jerry Rice made as a flanker. He wasn’t the fastest guy around. But he ran very precise routes and had very good functional speed. On a recent appearance on ESPN, he was talking about setting up a DB when running your route. Speed is not the only variable. Technique and route running are just as critical.
Grant the primary diffrences in our opinions (about a lot of things) is that you believe your opinions over the coaches, scouts and other (more seasoned) analysts. I on the other hand, because I have no Pro or even College level scouting and analysis experience, simply read a bunch of different reports and opinions and accept the consensus until it’s proven differently.
Grant, did you play WR in high school or college? I’m just curious how well you know the positions of which we’re talking about.
All WR positions have to contest for jump balls.
If anything the Z Flanker has to be able jump better in that basket ball player type of walling off a defender and jumping up for the ball contested. Why? Because the Flanker usually has more underneath and intermediate range routes that work in concert with the Tight End. Those short and intermediate routes are contested by Corners, Safeties, Linebackers and Nickelbacks. The X Split End generally with outside deep routes tends to deal with the Corner he’s match up with and possibly a Safety if the Safety is in a Cover 2 shell. This means there is more room for separation for a speedster like Jenkins to operate to gain separation…ie….LESS need for jump ball skills.
It is easier to jam a WR that lines up on the line of scrimmage and so it is common for these WRs to either have the strength to not be thrown off their route or a quick initial step to avoid a good jam – preferably both. That’s why I think Crabtree and Moss are most suited to the split end position.
Jenkins may be able to play that position as well, but I worry that by having Jenkins line up on the line of scrimmage he will struggle against the jam at this stage of his career until he develops some more functional strength.
I believe both Marvin Harrison and Isaac Bruce played the flanker position primarily, and this is the sort of WR I think Jenkins is. I think he is more suited to the flanker position, not split end, but would also line up in the slot in some formations.
Scooter,
As I posted to Grant, no one questions that Jenkins needs to prove that he can beat press coverage by either becoming stronger or more slippery. If he can’t then he’ll probably play primarily in the slot until he can learn the Flanker position. But draft scouts have him pegged as a possible X Split End because of his speed and deep ball skills.
Scooter, Torrey Holt had nearly an identical height and body type (about 6′ and 180 or so lbs). He was just a little faster. You’re right the slower but wily Bruce was the Flanker and Holt was the Split End. Holt and Bruce are about the same size as Jenkins…actually Jenkins is a little heavier at 192 lbs.
Yep, as I said, Jenkins may be able to play that position if he improves his functional strength. There have been some good split ends that weren’t the typical stronger guys that play the position. Teams feared Holt’s speed, and he also had the ability to beat the jam off the line of scrimmage (despite his size he was deceptively strong and he also had a great initial step), so he didn’t get jammed often.
But personally I think Jenkins is best suited to the flanker position where he can more easily use his speed and footwork to avoid the jam and thereby force CBs to give him more of a cushion.
11. Lowell Cohn vs Grant Cohn. Who will write more insightful 49er articles this year? Will it be the veteran Lowell with many years under his belt? Will the younger Grant beat him out for a starting spot? The Niner Faithful needs one of these two to step it up this year!
nice lol
+1!!!
+2…
alright article but i disagree with everybody who says perish cox and kyle williams wont make the team. we will have 6 recievers and all together 10 db’s suited up here’s my 53 man roster including PS.
QB
1. Alex Smith
2. Colin Kapernick
3. Scott Tolzien * He’ll beat out Josh Johnson in preseason and training camp.
HB
4. Frank Gore
5. Kendall Hunter
6. Lamichale James * Is physical and gifted and will thus earn respect and playing time
7. Brandon Jacobs
FB
8. Bruce Miller
TE
9. Vernon Davis
10. Delanie Walker
11. Nate Bynhum
WR
12. Randy Moss
13. Michale Crabtree
14. Mario Maningham
15. A.J. Jenkins
16. Tedd Gin Jr.
17. Kyle Williams * We now probably have the fastest recieving core in football exclude Crabtree.
OC
18. Jonathan Goodwin
18b. Daniel Kilgore
OG.
19. Mike Ipauti
20. Daniel Kilgore
21. Joe Looney
22. Mike Pearson
OT
23. Joe Staley
24. Anthony Davis
25. Alex Boone
DT
26. Justin Smith
28. Isaac Sopoaga
29. Ricky Jean Francios
30. Will Tukuafu
DE
31. Ray Mcdonald
32. Demarcus Dobbs
ILB
33. Patrick Willis
34. NaVorro Bowman
35. Larry Grant
36. Tavares Gooden
OLB
37. Aldon Smith
38. Ahmad Brooks
39. Parys Harlson
40. Darius Fleming
40B. Cam Johnson * He should be a 1 year practice squad player but he might make the team off God given talent alone.
CB
41. Carlos Rogers
42. Tarrell Brown
43. Chris Culliver
44. Tramaine Brock
45. Perish Cox
S
46. Donte Whitner
47. Dashon Goldson
48. C.J. Spillman
49. Trent Robinson
50. Colin Jones *Special Teams Stand Out
K/P
51. David Akers
52. Andy Lee
53. Brian Jennings
PS
1. WR Chris Owusu
2. NT Ian Williams *He could make the team and cam johnson could be here but I think one more year and he’s our NT of the future.
3. QB Josh Johnson * or Scott Tolzien I think Tolzien will beat him out.
4. DL Matt Masifilio
5. RB/ST Deante Perris
6. DB Curtis Holcomb *DB Insurance
7. OL Jason Slowley
8. DE/OLB Kourtnei Brown
KR
Ted Ginn Jr.
PR
Tedd Ginn Jr.
Perish Cox * Eventually Lamichale James will take over.
A.J. Jenkins
That’s pretty much how I see the 53 man roster playing out, although Josh Johnson doesn’t have PS eligibility. I think he’ll beat Tolzien for the 3rd QB role, but should be a great competition.
Josh Johnson is not eligible for the practice squad.
You’ve got 55 on your roster not 53. I’d subtract Williams and Dobbs to get you down to 53.
I’d subtract Williams and Cox.
I know it’s irrational but I really hope Cox gets cut. The guy is a slime ball.
Looks good…. You left out #27; I would give it to Ian Williams because they kept him on the roster last year to keep him from being claimed off the practice squad. He could be a casualty this year but I would think give him a full offseason camp first. I also think someone else has to go because they are probably going to keep Rock Cartwright. How can they justify paying Harlson $2mil to ride the pine? His time may be up unfortunately. Great job though for taking the time to break it down!
lol couple of typos and your right 3yr eligibility *Slaps Forehead*. Tolzien and Johnson trade positions. I put Daniel kilgore twice and I accidently left out 27 but added 40b to make up for it “55 man roster” I think they’ll pay 2mil if their trying to make that 1st yr superbowl run we need him he’s the best pass coverage olb the niners got. I believe colin jones and perish cox will do so good on ST that cartwright becomes expendable. But your right Ian williams will probably win over Dobbs for that reason alone. Me watching every niner game for yrs because of the nfl ticket.. believe me when I tell you this Kyle Williams is a gamer, made alot of third down plays one was a TD if were going to compete with the elite we need a deep wr roster like Green Bay, Patriots, Giants, the Saints and whatever loaded team we might see in the playoffs(I didnt put detroit becuase they have 2 and a half recievers take away Megatron everything crumbles). Kyle Williams is not going anywhere ….. at least I hope lol.
Kyle Williams vs. A.J. Jenkins vs. Chris Owusu: winners Jenkins and Owusu
Perrish Cox vs. Tramaine Brock: winner Brock
Darius Fleming vs. Parys Haralson: winner Haralson
LaMichael James vs. Kendall Hunter: winner Hunter, but not for long
Going by your logic, Grant, the 49ers graded James as a 2nd rounder while they drafted Hunter in the 4th. So who wins out?
Dixon vs. Jacobs: I’d like to see Dixon win out, but he needs to be aggressive and decisive. It will be fun to watch how thing shake out.
Nick -finally a real nod to Owusu. Sans the concussion issues no way is he a UDFA. Training camp this year should be a real corker!
I’d add: 11. *Nobody* vs. the field. There will be at least one Tremaine Brock / DeMarcus Dobbs type who is totally off the radar right now, who will make a serious run at a roster spot. It will be tougher than ever for such a player to crack the 53-man roster, but it’s still possible.
Totally agree. There is always someone who you never heard of or thought would make it that does, and there is always someone you thought would be on the roster that doesn’t make it. An exact science, it ain’t.
I hope Perrish Cox beats out #26. Brock is the weak link on this team.
Where did he get that Brock runs a 4.37? Sound like Culliver to me! Might want to vet that statement; Brock runs a 4.5. I see both Perish and Brock making the team due to their special team value and playing against pass happy opponents this year.
Great article Grant. Now that the Giants suck, I am more dependent than ever on daily Niner news.
Grant do you see Hunter and James on the field at the same time?
@undercenter
I sure do. VD split out wide (have him work on this a lot), Jenkins and Moss on the other side, DW on the line with KH/James in the backfield and have them run routes in opposite directions. If nothing else it should open up plenty of running lanes for AS if he wants to take it himself.
@ DS
Lot of speed with those guys eh. I see lots of potential in this offense.
I don’t know how good a lead blocker James or Hunter can be, but if they are adequate, we can run from this formation as well.
Is VD a good blocker out there in the WR position? Is Jenkins? Won’t have to worry that much about a lot of LB’s since we have all this speed defenses will have more defensive backs.
DS, Either the 49ers unexpectedly moved to the CFL or they will not use a QB in the formation you describe.
@jack
Nice catch. Meant Moss or Jenkins.
Neither Hunter or James is very good at pass blocking. Hunter made some improvement last year but James has never done it.
Putting them both in the backfield could get the QB killed on a blitz.
Yes neither blocks well James is very raw at blocking. If they blitz that little dump off to either one of them could amass some big time yards. Either one of them, one on one with a linebacker Hunter/James should be able to eat them alive.
@msc
DW is in there. He is a decent blocker. Plus our OL just has to be better. With this personnel, the defense will be spread out, and less able to hide the blitz. And blitzing could result in an easy TD. AS has been quite good against the blitz if he can get it out.
Primary responsibility of a running back on passing plays is blitz pickup. Someone has to get the defender the OL didn’t account for.
On screens and flares Hunter and James will kick butt but on normal pass plays they could put Alex in ICU. I want Frank or Bruce in there protecting Alex against the blitz.
I think KH is better than most give him credit for with his blocking. Not FG, but not bad. I remember more nice pick-ups than whiffs. I’ll put it that way.
And I just don’t think teams will try to blitz with this personnel very often. With this much speed/elusiveness, you better have as many defenders as possible to tackle the guy. AS isn’t going to throw the Int, so you won’t get the TO. As the ex Raider HC says, “I’m looking for3-4 times when the defense makes mistakes and we’ll win.” And I’m betting the D will screw up 3-4 times with this kind of formation a lot.
@msc, they’re both small even with improved technique
I don’t know how effective they can be.
KH is going to make a big step up this year. Anytime he got into the game there was no drop off from Frank Gore. He stood up very well in pass protection as well. Way too much is being made about his size or lack there of.
I agree Jack.
I think pre-conceived notions and rep play a larger role in KH blocking ability than other things.
I saw KH miss on blitz pickup a few times, but never by lack of awareness or lack of guts. Sometimes bigger guys went over top of him to hit or flush the QB. My guess is he’ll be just fine this year with improved technique. James will be a rookie, and that’s a challenge against NFL Defenses.
I’m not sure we can term all of these battles, because in most of the examples both players will make the team, but it will be interesting to see who winds up at the top of the depth chart.
It’s going to be weird this year rocket. For the past 8 years when the 49ers made training camp cuts it was “adios bum”. This year we’re going to see good guys cut to get to the final 53.
I don’t think Spillman is competing with Ted Ginn. I believe that he’s getting paid back-up safety money (about $2M per year).
I think Spillman was grouped with Ginn and Cartwright because they are on the team as primarily special teams players.
Spillman was in on a handful of plays at safety and maybe the Niners believe he can eventually become a viable option at Safety. But right now he’s primarily a special teams player. And there are only so many Special Teams specialists aside from kickers, punters and long snappers that the team will carry.
@all
My thoughts exactly! Spillman is fast, sure tackler in the open field. Something we don’t really have. If he can learn the nuances of playing the position full time, he will be an upgrade.
Spillman worked on the goal line defense as well. I can’t see Ginn doing that.
@msc
He took down a top 5 RB in Ray Rice in that game to preserve the no rush TD streak.
Then he took down the leading WR of the Saints (forgot his name) in the open field on the last play of the Saint playoff game. I’ve wondered if Sproles could have juked Spillman like he did DG on his late 4th quarter TD catch. Boy has shown well in very limited time.
Johnson and Tolzien might have better mechanics but they’re not so strong in the pocket and that’s the advantage CK has and it’s a big one. Plus you’re not sure about his mechanics this year, they might upgrade, plus that’s not the biggest thing. Biggest is, not being intimidated easy in the pocket and being accurate with the ball.
Ginn will see the field, because he’s going to be active for his PR skills. The niners usually activate 4 WR’s on game day. And most likely they’ll be Crabs, Ginn, Manningham and Moss. As a matter of fact, Jenkins is the one that has to prove himself and unseat Moss on game day. That’s of course Moss makes the team in the first place…
On some things you’re wrong again Grant and you’re assuming things like an 8 year old. You have to think broader…
I think if the 49ers are suiting up 4 WRs on game day it will be their best 4 WRs. I don’t think Ginn will be in the best 4 – so he’ll suit up as a PR specialist, and provide cover as an emergency WR.
Considering the 49ers’ offense that would make a lot of sense.
Moss, Crabs, Manningham, Jenkins with Ginn as emergency backup should be plenty. The 49ers aren’t going to suddenly morph into the Packers or Patriots on offense.
that’s not the point.
“Michael Crabtree vs. his left foot”
Seriously, this article wins just because of that line.
Thanks, msc.
@msc
I wonder if Grant really has that as the 10th battle, or did he realize after writing it “Hey, that is a good opening sentence. This just became battle 10.”
A little bit of both.
Assuming like we’re going to beat Baltimore 30-3. Boy that was amateurish.
lamichael needing to perform better than other rbs in preseason is kind of iffy. hes a 2nd rounder an clearly from his college performance is a great rb. i dont think hel need to prove much in camp or preseason, but int he regular season i think GR an harbaugh will find a creative efficient way of using all the RBs we have on our roster. this is a ground based team an our offense will be much more capable. i think theyl find ways to rotate them all in an out an use multiple backs ont he field. just making us that much more dangerous
I often wonder what fans and sometime writers mean when they say Kaep’s mechanics are suspect. First of all his release has been timed,and although his motion may LOOK slower than some QB’s and less efficient,I believe his motion was timed and it turned out that his release was faster or as fast as most QB’s and his accuracy is good the way he is,so what’s the problem ?
JH scouted and studied him fully and liked what he saw so much he traded up to get him.
I think the only things about his “mechanics”that needed extensive work were his drops and footwork in a wco type passing game. He has been refining his talents for over a year now and has a full mini-camps schedule and training camp coming up,neither of which he had last year.
He has been on about a 3 year schedule to become the Franchise guy and at this time there is no reason to believe that is not right on schedule.
No guarantees of course,but no reason at all to think “mechanics”is any bump in the road for the kid at all. Time will tell.
Have you thought maybe Baalke-Harbaugh traded up because there was a lot unknowens at that time. I wonder if Kap was there in this last draft, and we had Alex, JJ, ST, would we of even drafted him. Lots of unknowens. You could be very right Kap might be a 3 year project. I think we are going to know more after the completion of the 2012 season.
Careful Tim, now that Manning is gone CK7 is the #1 threat to the Precious.
That’s why a certain group keeps clamoring for CK7 to be traded. They don’t want the risk that Harbaugh may decide to supplant Alex with a better QB.
“In Harbaugh we trust, as long as he starts Alex.”
And all the big strong men were scared to death of the Precious.
As were 31 NFL teams.
Good points both of you.
Remember Tim. At the time of the draft there were 0! QB’s on our team. We were desperate. What if AS said “screw you” and walked? And we didn’t get a QB in the draft? What then?
I am one fan who thinks it would not have been such a disaster at all. It would have simply meant that CK could have made his rookie mistakes in real NFL games and learned from them more quickly than in practice. It would have been little different that having Cam Newton or any other rookie QB start for your team,except that we had the ST’s and Defense and coaching to carry him through the many rough spots.
I agree with Matt M. who said in his view it wouldn’t matter which of our 4 QB’s play this season,we will still win the West. CK was and still probably is raw,but how can you play any more raw than Alex did in his first few years ?
…and if we didn’t draft a QB then there were several in free agency that could have played and be nursed along by our staff and defense ands ST’s.
But JH and Baalke would not have gone through the draft and not stock up on QB’s,all the good GM’s draft QB’s every few years in the draft ,unless they have a stable of good prospects already,as we do now.
Tim
The only sure way to get a QB is via draft. And if the Niners were focused on a FA, and he didn’t pick them, and the Niners don’t draft a guy, they are done for.
Of course they drafted a guy they like. What reason is there to draft a kid they don’t believe in?
This has been posted before. I’ll refresh everyone’s memory. Quick release good accuracy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ7xfvFgZ1E
Looks impressive, I like that sport science I have seen that clip and a few other players doing one thing or another. Like Fleener draging 600 plus lbs. Just wonder how it translates in an actual game. Quite impressive for sure.
@undercenter
Well, we know how good the QB is who can pull a station wagon.
Undercenter:
The fact that CK has a very quick release and is accurate etc,has NO relevance to play in a real game in the NFL BUT it does have all the relevance in the World if the question is (as it was) about CK’s mechanics and accuracy and quick release.
But having a rocket arm and a quick release and being accurate and mobile and smart is no guarantee that you will be a star QB in the nfl….BUT IT SURE HELPS !!! :)
@DS, thanks for my morning laugh.
Andrew
You’re welcome.
Could Baalke be so clever as to take a flyer on signing Brandon Jacobs with the thought of using him as trade bait at the end of the pre season when another team is injury laden at RB? That’s almost like buying a seventh round pick for $150K; good business sense. I’d rather JH adopt the “Refrigerator Perry” play with Soapoaga at the goal line than keep a roster spot for Jacobs. Dixon has value on ST and he’s younger than Jacobs. “Soft” Jacobs against “Two Step Shuffle” Dixon (plus ST/age) = advantage Dixon.
I’m not a Jacobs fan either but I can’t see him as trade bait. The instant the 49ers offer him the rest of the NFL will know he’s going to be cut.
Jacobs is 29 and his best is behind him. I’ve watched him over the years and for someone that size he never dominated as a power back.
Is Jacobs that bad? I hadnt realized that. Seems lots feel that way, if so wonder why Baalke-Harbaugh went and got him. Cheap and easy to cut?
Jacobs is a lot like Boobie Dixon – a big guy who dances too much in the backfield and goes down on the first hit. the difference is Jacobs is 30 and doesn’t play ST while Dixon is 24 and is a ST demon.
I really have no idea why Baalke brought Jacobs in. I’m certain Baalke saw something I didn’t but I have no idea what it was. I’m just a fan, Baalke is a pro.
Yes, he’s that bad.
Off topic here.
But has anyone had a chance to see the Payton Manning United Way commercial? Instant Classic!
AES,
Thanks for the reference. Here’s a link:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/1603/saturday-night-live-snl-digital-short-united-way
Funny as hell!
Rusty_in_OC,
Thanks for providing the link!
undercenter:
JHAnd Baalke drafted Kaep as the 1st QB drafted by their regime. JH loved the kid and most likely still does. But if they had the other QB’s that are on the roster I guess there is a chance they pass on any QB’s in that draft and use that pick for another position. But evey team seeks to have a developmental QB ,with grat potential and great skill as their #3 QB, so they may have stll taken him anyway. I for one am glad they did.
I’m sure JH/TB are happy with CK as well Tim. Just like they are thrilled AS didn’t take that playbook to his new team. Possibly our rival Cardinals, and AS resigned both years. Imagine if that had happened! The JH dynasty may last as long as the MS one did.
It wouldn’t have mattered what AS took with him to Miami(the only team that granted him even an interview),they would not have known what to do with that info there,..they are a mess.
And the Cards,although improving ,last year they had a QB similar to how Alex plays and the rest of the team couldn’t overcome it,so no big change in our record against them ,probably. Besides,Alex didn’t have the defensive playbook,and that is what would hurt us ,if other teams could neutralize the D.
Tim
Kolb flat out sucks. The moment he went out, the Cards won. We win that game if Kolb is in the game.
Kolb was the anti-AS. He was anti-clutch. The difference in most NFL games are the 4th quarter plays. Kolb made them for the opponent. AS made them for the Niners. 6 comeback wins, 4 on the road proves it.
We all have our opinions !
Kolb is Alex Smith 2.0
Shaky in the pocket, unable to make quick decisions, inaccurate on short passes.
When the 49ers played the Eagles in 2010 I joked that Alex and Kevin could switch uniforms and no one would notice. I was right.
MS: I agree.
Msclemons, every chance you get you just can’t resist slamming Alex, that’s classic hater right there.
He was just giving his opinion on the topic ,so back off man and let others talk without feeling the need to shout them dowm and call them haters.
Ifd you think AS is leaps and bounds a better talent over Kolb,then say so ,without attacking others .
Kolb got $12 million per year. Alex only got $8 million.
The NFL has spoken. The folks who actually make roster decisions value Kolb ahead of Smith.
I disagree with them. I think Alex and Kevin are about the same. I rate Alex higher than NFL GM’s rate him. That makes me a hater? Ok.
Tim just relax ok pal, when I see a hater I’m calling them out, you and all your hater fans add nothing with your cheap shot remarks, so I’m just calling it like I see it, just like you hey Timmy?
Msclemons your a hater cause you keep commenting on a topic/player that no one really has an interest in till he starts playing again. Insted your making analogies to downgrade him over and over again on every thread you can, thats hating dude!
I suppose you are correct Prime Time. Me and Baalke are haters. We both want to replace Alex with a real quarterback.
And the other 31 NFL teams as well… can’t leave them out. None of them wanted Alex. The entire NFL is a bunch of haters.
I’ll keep on hating and hoping the 49ers get a franchise quarterback. You keep on rooting for a guy no one else wants. I’ll keep rooting for the 49ers.
That’s right lemons, I’ll keep cheering for the 49ers and whomever is under centre. You keep speaking like an a hole and thinking that you know what Baalke and the other 31 teams think, classic hater thinking he has inside information, you keep trying to convince yourself you know!
Kap could be quite good, at this point we dont know, am looking forward to pre-season and see Kap and JJ and ST workout. All I want is the best QB out there right along with the best player at each position.
@m67
Nah, just got to quite the Kap lovers “somewhat” before they become what we Smithers have become.
Heaven forbid !;)
I wouldn’t think they pass on CK with JJ and the other on the roster, no. Apples and oranges here..
MS:
I laughed out loud when I read where you called AS “The Precious”. He does seem to have some strange irrational,supernatural hold over some minds, that are otherwise rational and even rather intelligent folk. lol. !!!
@Tim
Yep. JH is wearing that ring. Won’t give it up.
DS: I think the point of the joke is that the “precious” distorts the rational thinking of whoever puts it on or gets too close.
If any among us find themselves rubbing their hands together and wispering in a small voice “myyy preeeeeciiiioooous” ,whenever they see the initials AS,then maybe they should take a step back and wonder what evil has them in it’s grip ? ;)
@Tim
I know how it was meant. But my interpretation of the one ring is also just as accurate.
Like always, I take a fact and show it to mean something else just as much as the original intention.
Not quite as simple as black and white. We have red, gold, purple, brown, pink, orange, etc.
…So,in your view the ONE Ring could be used for good or bad,it’s all in your interpretation ??? That kind of thinking got a lot of well meaning people in HUGE trouble in the books. ;)
Anyway,I thought it was a funny comparison and I always try to take every opportunity to laugh !
Like I said Tim.
There are lots of colors.
:- )
None are more right/wrong than others. Just how you want to think about it.
WOW DS.I hope if you are ever before a Judge you find one that will accept that strange point of view. Well,your honor,I was going 120 MPH because the speed limit is all about your point of view and perspective on things. It’s not black and white , there are all the colors of the rainbow and it depends on how you look at it…can I go now your honor ? LOL
Tim
Whose to say I am not a court lawyer or even a judge?
Like I said. Many different colors.
Again I say…Heaven help us !!! ;)
@Tim
Would it help any if I was going after a terrorist group who had a nuke and was going to blow up the city? And the highway was relatively free of civilians, thus high speed chase didn’t put otheer peoples lives at risk? And I had called for backup to try to block the road, but the terrorist got around it, so I had to catch up to them.
Does that change the situation/punishment at all in your view Tim?
Of course DS,but you were going so far out that nobody from this Earth could follow your reasoning. Of course EVERYTHING is not black and white. There are grey areas very often. But NOT different colors,just some more clearly black and some more clearly white and some shades of grey in between.
Unless you are not joking around and you really believe there are no absolutes (as it sounds),then we should take this discussion to e-mails or something because we could be here all day and we are way past boring and have left football way behind :) .
No biggie,I just thought (and still do !) that the joke about calling Alex the Precious was hilarious ! The more laughter the better.
Goodnight Ma’am,time for Dinner ! Catch you again later DS !
In a universe which we have not explored hardly at all, and living on a planet where we are still discovering new things and knowing that there are more than 3 dimensions and multiple universes, the only absolute is there are none.
Except that TO’s win/lose football games in all of them.
Later Tim.
You missed off-season battles between Bayareafanatic and DS94ever, Hofer, Adam… etc… etc…
Ed
? Where is this coming from?
DS: Were you moonlighting as a Pro Wrestler or something and you didn’t tell anyone except Ed ?
Pay per view cage match between DS and Bay !!! I think I will keep my $ .
Perhaps Tim
In Grant’s last blog I did bring up the owner of WWE, Vince McMahon in one post. I just might be him.
lol
R.I.P Adam Yauch (MCA) Sad day in music. I am a HUUUGE Beastie Boys fan. Been to more than 10 concerts. Lost a Hip Hop Pioneer today. Makes you realize these petty arguements are just that….Check your Head. =-)
Thats terrible about Yauch, hey MD, what are you thinking about tomorrows fight? I think Mayweather knocks him out.
Prime… Being puerto rican you know I’m pulling for Cotto. I can’t stand mayweather. But to keep it real. It’s going to be a huge task for cotto to beat mayweather. But I’ll be cheering the whole fight which I think go’s twelve. I’m having a big party for the fight and cinco de mayo, so hopefully I’ll have enough tequila sunrises in me to get over the pain if cotto loses. :-/ lol when a puerto rican is in a big fight it’s like a big 9ers game. Butterflies in the tummy. Wheew!
..Cotto is gonna get his azz kicked just like I hav been kickin urs on the blog 4 yrs….
Here is a battle, are we going to get more third downs or field goals this year. I know I do my share of bashing AS but Greg Roman needs to bring some more of a consistent game with our new weapons.
Greg Roman has nothing to do with consistency. #11 does. All depends on him.
What? You want more touchdowns and fewer field goals?
You are obviously a David Akers hater. ;-)
Very funny M67 where did you get that scarf? Gray too!
@undercenter I bought it in Paris. I was freezing my arse off, ducked into a store and snatched it for 20 euro.
I got robbed but I was so cold I didn’t care.
hahah MSC,
Yea the Niners goal this season is to repeat, lead the league in field goals and maybe make history again. It is funny that the AS LOVERS are also Kyle William lovers.
Neal,
The play calling is suited to the QB’s capability to properly execute the play. We don’t throw at times when we should because Roman does not believe that Smith can execute the play call. Remember, the themeclast year was not to turn the ball over. In accomplishing that mission, we sacrificed our attempts at being aggressive in our attempts at scoring. We tried to run or execute low percentage plays and hoped to get lucky. Hence, David Akers was the offensive MVP last year.
“We don’t throw at times when we should because Roman does not believe that Smith can execute the play call”
Again a classic hater statement who thinks he knows what Roman is thinking. Do you morons really hear what you are saying? How the hell do you know what Roman is thinking Welcher boy?
@ Jordan,
This season if we have to run the ball on 3rd down situations when we should pass and with all of the new weapons, AS will be on the bench having spinters up in his ass. AS will complain that he has too many receivers running too fast, and he has 3 open guys and does not know who to throw it too. He might need a couple of seasons for him to get used to all of this.
“AS will complain that he has too many receivers running too fast, and he has 3 open guys and does not know who to throw it too.”
You’re clearly not a Niners fan or you don’t watch post-game press conferences, or generally just living under a rock somewhere. Smith has NEVER complained about anything. At least not in any public forum that any of us have access to. As a matter of fact it’s just the opposite, he’s shouldered all the blame (undeservedly in many cases) for the team’s woes for many years now.
Execution will look much better this year. The receiving corps is vastly upgraded. Crabs should look better as well, as he won’t always have the other team’s #1 DB draped all over him.
@Adam,
Are you turning into Claude Balls and has to cut and past every post? I am clearly not a Niner fan. I go to 4 to 6 games a year, yea I am not a Niner fan, you are clearly a few fries short of a happy meal.
Yeah, I’m the one making stuff up. Who’s the loon?
Keep eating your happy meal’s, pal. Sounds like your brain chemistry needs the added jolt.
4 to 6 games a year? Sure. Whatever you say. ;)
Next.
@Adam,
Yes I do, have 3 friends that are season ticket holders and buy one to two games from each of them, along with going to 10 to 15 Sharks games a year. Talking about looney, do you have much of life other then this site?
Says the guy replying to my post.
Shall I detail my life for you, Fitzbob? That way you can judge whether I have a life or not. Must be equally as busy as you are today. ;)
Don’t know Fitz Bob, you have insulted me with that name a few times, have no idea, I follow baseball, football and hockey, so sorry Fitz bob must be doing something else, since you post a zillion times a day Adam, you must have no life, but your wife Eve is just lovely. :)
>>4 to 6 games a year? Sure. Whatever you say. ;)
And the “WE WANT CARR” Candlestick attendees have so much more insight than those who aren’t in position to attend games. The ones the scoreboard operator has to remind to hold the noise down when the offense has the ball… The ones embarrassingly seen doing the wave during the season…
Attending a Niner games in person does give you edge up in overpaying for lousy concession food. Actual football knowledge? Not so much.
Prime Crabtree,
How many screen names you using these days boy.
Yeah, the Fitzbob name seemed to “fit”. Not necessarily an insult – just something that seemed to “fit” you after you called me Einstein or something like that.
No worries, Fitzy. All in good fun. Trying to take the edge off the hater crowd ;) Don’t let the negativity take over your life, it’s all good. :)
By the way, I had a great name for spitblood (Gingivitis, or Ginger for short) but his nastiness got the better of him I guess and now he’s gone. Hater flameout syndrome.
“If Ginn makes the team”? Surely you jest.
of course he’ll make the team. teams don’t throw 500k just like that.
Ask yourself this question, Who makes you feel warm and comfortable, secure like when you had your blankey feilding those punts? My Answer: Ted Ginn Jr.
Andrew from Rishikesh says:
May 4, 2012 at 7:30 pm
“No doubt James was electric in college but the NFL is a different speed. In a way his situation reminds me of Reggie Bush, a scat back when he came in the league but someone who has developed and is able to run between the tackles. Ginn provided a level of sure handedness and explosion that was the best I’ve seen by a 9er. Try and think back and name a better return man? I can’t maybe you can.”
Andrew, depends how far you want to look back, but here are a few of names from the past.
The Kansas City Chiefs had a little player back in the mid-sixties named Nolan (the Nat) Smith who was lightning quick.
The ‘real’ Oakland Raiders had George Atkinson back during the same era who was a very good punt returner.
And the 49ers had a player in the early 70′ named Bruce Taylor who was a good punt returner as well.
But Ginn Jr. would probably be considered better because of his longevity.
Billy White Shoes Johnson
Is Ted Ginn Jr. top 10 all time returner?
You left out John Taylor.
In 1988 he was money on punt returns.
You’re absolutely right, Ms67. John Taylor was very good.
Underwater, good call on Billy “White Shoes” Johnson.
If DeSean Jackson stays healthy he could crack the top 5 before his career is over.
Here are some names past and present who are strong contenders for best punt returners:
1. Devin Hester
2. Deon Sanders
3. Eric Metcalf
4. Billy “White Shoes” Johnson
5. Brian Mitchell
6. Reggie Bush
7. DeSean Jackson
8. Ted Ginn Jr.
9. Nolan “Gnat” Smith
10. Dave Meggett
These are players that I remember being some of the best I’ve seen. Rankings are subjective.
That’s about where I’d put Mr. Ginn Jr.
AES,
You forgot the great Rick Upchurch from Denver. One of the greats and I’d say in the top 2-3. Maybe even #1!
He was a great one.
“And the 49ers had a player in the early 70′ named Bruce Taylor who was a good punt returner as well.”
Whoo hoo, #44! I had his jersey :)
AES, i would take Ted Ginn off of your list and add Desmond Howard or Dante Hall. Dante Hall was one of the best of the past decade and broke all kinds of records with his electric returns with Kansas City. Desmond Howard was unstoppable in 1996 and was a big reason Green Bay won it all that year (still makes me sick).
My favorite backfield was Craig/Tyler. Followed very, very closely with Craig/Wrathman.
Tyler had fumblitis but his “wooooooooo” when he hit the hole was fantastic.
Craig/Rathman was so incredible. Both great runners, receivers and blockers. Very few 49er memories top Craig’s run against the Rams or Rathman’s catch against the Broncos.
Yes sir, the glory days of the golden gladiators. They were fantastic.
More to consider (tho hard to top Craig/Rathman):
Delvin Williams/Jackson & also Hearst/Beasley & Waters/Rathman
‘The Million Dollar Backfield’ was before I was watching.
Waters/Floyd was something special in 1994. I thought Rathman retired before Waters was drafted?
That was 18 years and gallons of scotch in the past though – I might be remembering wrong.
@ Clemons
My memory is a long way from perfect, but I think I have a memory of Rathman pulling Waters back from a teammate and Tom telling Ricky to shut-the-hell-up; on the sideline during a game. A number of brain cells have gone missing since then, so…..
Rathman & Waters were on the team in 92 and 93.
Tyler/Craig unstopable
Dislike Alex Boone being left out of RG discussion.
Dislike QB battle ranked so high when more than likely it will not affect the season, where any of the others will.
Dislike assumption that James will be backup punt returner. He isn’t ready, and if Ginn goes down early, maybe a aggravation of an old injury, and we don’t keep Cox or some other option, we would be royally screwed. James will be ready next year, from what I have read. I would rather Williams try again, since he at least has some mistakes to learn from. If James makes a similar mistake, we run the risk of ruining the guy’s confidence. Or worse.
Agreed with you up to where the vote of confidence in Williams Part Deux came in. When you’re a habitual brain farter back there its best to just cut the cheese. Find another backup. Could be PC.
James/Hunter/Gore in the backfield together might prove interesting.
LB Kourtnei Brown http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XlRjhRtI8Q
6-6, 255
Clemson
This dude is my darkhorse to make the team.
+1…
I like Brown’s athleticism, but where does he play? At under 260 he is not a 3-4 end. With only 3 sacks in his college career, he does not seem like the best OLB / PRS candidate. I think he has some talent, and maybe the coaches can bring it out, but my hunch is, if it comes, it’ll take a year on the PS first.
Speaking of horses here are my derby picks, Bodemiester, I’ll Have Another, Union Rags. And one more I’ll go with the jockey Calvin Borel on Take Charge Indy.
I agree. He’s on my radar as well.
Him, Owusu and Celek are intriguing to me.
If David Shaw is correct, Owusu did NOT have three concussions in 13 months (as is regurgitated by the lazy media) and if Celek is like his brother (also a tight-end) in Philly? He might just beat out Reuland and Byham.
I might throw Hampton in the mix, too.
Hard to say. Interesting though.
I think we might end up cutting guys that are actually really good this time around. It’s a shame. The league needs to expand the rosters. It’s good for the players’ health if there’s more rotation and it’s good for the young UDFAs trying to make the team. Just my 2-cent idea.
@Adam
sfgate has some cool articles on Owusu. Check them out if you haven’t looked there for the last few days.
Owusu’s concussions were caused by brutal hits. James Harrison was probably fined for those hits. Hopefully the young man recovers and doesn’t end up like Jahvid Best.
I just wish someone would ask David Shaw about his comments on NFL Net during the draft.
He clearly stated Owusu had two concussions (not that it’s any better) instead of three. The third was incorrectly reported and it was instead, a shoulder injury.
Just want someone to ask that question, get a definitive answer and be done with it. Bugs me. :P
Thanks for the heads-up, DS. Eric always has good stuff, as we know. :)
Yeah Adam,
If they expand the rosters they could get away with an 18 game schedule. As it is they should allow the entire 53 to be active on game days.
Owusu may turn out to be the big surprise of our UDFA’s.As you intimated Adam the concussion issue is quite likely being misconstrued. Coach Harbaugh has insider info on the situation and did not veto.Been a Cal fan all my life but my mother in law works for the Stanford Sports Dept. I’ve seen the kid play a bit and he is dynamic.
Hoferfan67 says:
May 4, 2012 at 11:14 pm
AES,
“You forgot the great Rick Upchurch from Denver. One of the greats and I’d say in the top 2-3. Maybe even #1!
He was a great one.”
Upchurch was good as well. I just don’t know about a top 5 ranking?
I thought about measuring the top 10 by punt return yardage, but that could be a deceptive stat because having more yards could mean returning more punts becaus of an impotent offense.
Touchdowns on punt returns are probably the best rule in measuring the best and most dynamic.
I’d put Upchurch into the Top 5.
Remember Dana McLemore? He was more shifty than fast, and I don’t think he broke many for TDs, but he’d squeeze some yards out of each return.
Raiders’ Neal Colzie lead the league one year in avg. return yardage by just getting a few every time; not too many big ones.
Dana McLemore… holy cow – you just put me in the Way-Back machine.
Happy cinco de mayo 9er fans. Hope all of you have a good day. Gonna watch cotto shock the world like our niners did last year. Put down some tequila sunrises, grill up some stuffed tri’s, enjoy a good night with some friends, smack my friends in some horseshoes, pool and beer pong, talk some raiders vs 9ers football, and bump every beastie boys song there is. Cheers faithful. GO NINERS!!! “Wheew”
Cinco de Mayo.
That means “5 beers for breakfast” in English, right?
Happy 5DM!
Viva los 49ers!!!
Decent functional speed is not good enough. Crabtree was a high first round draft pick
Football is a game of match-ups. How does player x matchup against defense y. And a good way to evaluate players is how much of a matchup problem/how often does player x provide that match-up problem?
If it is most of the time/all the time, that player is great. Regardless of stats. If it is sometimes, that player is good. If it is once in awhile that player is average. If it pretty much never that player is bad.
When teams play us, how often do they make it a point to stop FG? VD? MC? I pretty much never hear about teams worrying about matchup problems with MC. With FG/VD, all the time. Regardless of their stats. And if the Niners have enough playmakers who provide more matchup problems than MC does, MC is gone. If they do not, MC stays.
But in 3 years, I’ve heard FG/VD’s name a lot more than I’ve heard MC’s name.
How many teams line up and say we have to stop Alex Smith?
You don’t stop QB’s directly. You stop their weapons (VD/FG). If a QB has no weapons, he is like a chicken with his head chopped off.
It may run around for awhile, and some may run longer than others. But at the end, the result is the same. You’re dead.
Look at games where QB’s weapons are removed, and those where a QB basically has none. Not much difference. Example: The last time we played PM. We removed his weans and he was no better than our QB in that game. The great QB may be able to do some things and win an extra game or two next to the bad QB, but they are screwed when they play the good teams if their weapins are removed.
AR/DB have a lot of great weapons. When those weapons were stopped, those QB’s were stopped. In the NO game, we had DB stopped until his weapons weren’t stopped. When they were let loose (last half of 4th quarter) DB suddenly was great. No. He is who he is. With his weapons producing, he is great. If his weapons do not produce, he is not. And when the Giants stopped AR’s weapons, AR looked bad.
Crabtree gets (correctly) blasted for not living up to his #10 pick status.
Alex gets excused for not living up to his #1 status.
Poor Crabs needs to get some contact lenses to make his eyes blue.
When the season begins Alex and Crabtree will both be starters. Anyone who believes otherwise has no sense of reality….
@msc
When AS was drafted we were the worse team in the NFL. By a lot.
When MC was drafted, he was the final piece for our return to the playoffs. Virtually all experts said we would win the West that year.
Not remotely near the same starting situation.
@jack
Aye Aye Captain Jack.
Just because we may start that way, does not mean we end that way. You don’t draft a WR with your #1 pick to have him sit for a year. Especially if you don’t have JR/JT as your starters (we aren’t close). If anybody thinks otherwise they are not living in reality.
See we can both make “absolute” statements. Fun, isn’t it?
It is called reality, some of us actually live in that world. And of course ET won’t sit all year. Unless there are injuries he will get his few plays each week.
Come on DS, I’m an Alex supporter but now your being completely biased.
It all starts at the QB position and sometimes the QB has to make others around him better regardless of talent. For you to say “You don’t stop QB’s directly” is far from the truth.
Teams game plans begin with taking away time and space from the QB. You can blanket all the weopons intially but any good NFL QB that has time will make something happen.
Jack
Don’t play the reality card. It is not remotely realistic to grade a draft pick as an “F” moments after a pick.
Whatever you want to classify me under, you’re right there next to me buddy. For every “off” comment you say I’ve made, I can point to one you’ve made. PW not to be blamed for that NO TD. So it was his job to let him run right by being a step behind having never deviating his route?
Come on now. Best we not talk about “reality” much on a blog full of crazy fanatics anyway.
Latino
Look at your post again. If the QB has time..
Yes. That is how you help stop the weapons. Didn’t mean to imply you only had to cover to stop the weapons. Sorry if that is how you read it.
Any QB is in trouble if a D can get pressure without blitzing. That PM game is perfect example. Any QB is good if the D does not provide any pressure. Like DET vs. NO. Det provided NO pressure. DB is good, but was near God like due to no pressure. When we got pressure on him, he didn’t look so good. When we didn’t, he did.
If you give a QB time, you’re screwed. If you don’t cover his weapons, you’re screwed. If they can just hand it off all day, you’re screwed.
There is a lot of screwing here, I know.
Latino
My reply to you had nothing to do with AS. It’s how I see the QB position. Any QB.
You are right DS, it should have been a D- because it wasn’t a complete failure. He will make the most of those 5 plays he gets each week : )
There is some progress there Jack
: – )
And 5 plays/game…5TD’s/game.
I’m a fan and an optimist. That is the nice part about this time of year.
I am a fan too, and I am a realist.
I am a fan too an “experienced optimist”
>>How many teams line up and say we have to stop Alex Smith?
Well, 14 of them should have taken that approach last year.
@ribico
“How many teams line up and say we have to stop Alex Smith?”
Certainly at least 6 did in the 4th quarter last year.
One point I’d make is that Fleming & Haralson are not competing for the same spot. I’d say Parys is competing with one of the rooks to backup Aldon. He’d be better this year, but maybe Cam Johnson’s ‘upside’ and youth win???
I’d go so far as to say Haralson is still competing with Smith for the starting job seeing as how he finished last year as the starter. Everybody assumes Aldon will be the starter but he hasn’t proven he’s ready yet.
Love the football “majors” some of these UDFA guys have.
1) Community communications and leadership development. OK.
2) Interdisciplinary studies. As in?
3) Movement and sport science. So… is that like getting up in the morning and going for a jog?
4) Social sciences. Does that mean you could work for that Zuckerberg kid?
5) Packaging. What? Seriously? Must be handy to have around for the holidays.
6) Communication studies. Ermmm…
7) Community recreation, sport, & camp management. This one might be fun.
Then… you have your brainiacs.
1) Economics and agricultural business. Butrym has a double major. At least that sounds smart!
2) Mechanical engineering. Even Stanford’s big men are brainiacs.
3) Engineering sciences. Same with Harvard.
4) Human Biology. Useful.
5) Political economics. At least the “econ” part is useful.
6) Sociology.
@Adam
“Community recreation, sport, & camp management. This one might be fun.”
This one time in Band Camp….
Sorry. Couldn’t resist.
Hah!
Ha! Love it. Harbaugh’s still got it: http://www.49ers.com/media-gallery/photo-gallery/2012-Football-School/596e856a-5fa1-4198-aa05-e919631fa6af#fb48e447-91fc-4153-a83d-d91a27d3d4fb
Love the Niner pics. Especially Harbaugh working with the QBs. Great to see all the guys out there working. Looking good!
Glad the PR guys are taking these shots. Makes me happy during the dead time between the draft and camps. :)
Thanks for the link, Adam. One of the first things I noticed was where Randy Moss’ eyes are when he’s catching a pass. The dude looks FOCUSED!
Heh, looks like coach needs to work on his footwork a bit, terrible body angle. =)
Speaking of footwork, where the heck are Cap’s feet pointing and why does he have such a wide stance on that throw.
In picture #13 it looks like Vernon taught Moss that “jump for a waist high pass” move.
Notice in all the QB drill pics that Harbaugh is watching their feet? Not their heads or arms, their feet. Jim knows quarterbacking.
Does KW have any trade value?
Not much trade value, it is likely he will get cut and if and when he does another team can get him for nothing. Any GM who would trade for him, will get bad PR because he has become the Bill Buckner of football.
Hey Neal,
Damn, I thought you were talking about Alex Smith. He fits the bill and your description as well.
@Jordan,
hahaha, They are both similar players although AS is afraid of making mistakes , so he gets dropped a few times more in a game when he does not have too.
DS94everXev says:
May 5, 2012 at 12:12 pm
@msc
“When AS was drafted we were the worse team in the NFL. By a lot.
When MC was drafted, he was the final piece for our return to the playoffs. Virtually all experts said we would win the West that year.”
Interesting theory DS. Alex get’s exonerated/excused for playing under the Singletary regime, but Crabtree was supposed to be the ‘final piece’ to return to the playoffs. Go figure?
AES,
Are you a big Crabtree fan, or just tired of the constant BS being thrown out by DS?
Hammer,
I’m a 49er fan first and foremost. I will defend our leading WR the way I used to defend Alex when he was being crushed about 4-5 yrs ago. Alex has elevated his game and so has Crabtree. My issue has always been that Alex’ flaws are quickly put in damage control mode, while Crabtree’ flaws are put in highlight form.
Hey, it is, what it is. No matter who tries to refute it.
He is neither. Just a loof wit no solid opinion that likes to flip flop when he realizes his comments make no sense.
He compares DS dislike of crab as the same as the haters hatred of Alex…the fact that he can’t see da difference only proves he argues blindly…
..Also the fact that he needs to point out he is a 49er fan first shows his insecurity and flip floppin personality. Its like he needs ppl to like him. He lacks the balls to be original.
I hear you AES. I feel the same way.
With respect to Crabtree – if he was a mid-round draft pick and led the team in receiving last season with 72 catches for 894 yards in his 3rd season everyone would be saying he’s a keeper and we just need to get some other weapons around him. He gets bashed a lot more than he should just because he was a #10 pick.
Seriously, once a player is on the team who cares where they were drafted? It should just come down to whether they are good enough to stay on the team. Obviously money plays a part as well, and you can’t pay someone starters money to be a backup. Is Crabtree a great WR at this stage of his career? No, he is not – and he may be getting payed more than he has so far deserved. Crabtree will have to keep improving if he wants to remain a starter with the new WRs on the roster and to justify his salary. But Crabtree was our best WR last season and is our best WR this year until proven otherwise.
The problem with Crabs and AS, is that we want these guys to be as good as Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, that will never happen. Crabs lacks the heart to get better, hopefully this new competition will make him rise and AS has mental issues to be a top QB in the league. That was proven by his contract and lack of interest with the GM’s of the league. I guess they are hater’s too. hahah
Neal,
Completely agree with that first sentence. The rest, ahhh not so much.
@ Jack,
This will be the season where we will find out, will Crabs work harder, maybe lose weight at least that is what Jerry Rice said and thrive with the new competition or will he fold like a cheap suit, and will AS get better and more efficient on third downs and red zones with more options.Nothing to say much past this, but we are a better team then last year.
I agree with you on that Neal. Do you see the difference between those 2 comments?
I see the difference Jack, I don’t think highly of either player, both players were more like third and fourth round picks instead of first rounds picks, that is my opinion, Crabs is a possesion receiver and let’s say Smith is a slow learner however we got to play this out and see if both players become what we originally expected. I am going to be open to that and see this through.
I don’t think anyone can argue that up to this point in their careers, both Crabtree and Smith have not shown that they are elite players. But both also showed last season that they are NFL calibre players, and can do their part to win a football game. If the 49ers have the opportunity to upgrade these two positions they will try to take it (see Peyton Manning pursuit, Randy Moss/ Manningham/ Jenkins additions), but if they can’t, I think Harbaugh and Baalke are comfortable with these two players starting.
Crabtree will have to show in training camp that he deserves to be starting ahead of the new WR additions – his starting spot is not guaranteed. That’s the Harbaugh way. But like Smith, Crabtree is the incumbent and will be the guy the other WRs need to overtake on the depth chart. Personally, I think if Crabtree stays healthy this training camp then he will prove he should be one of the starting WRs.
Neal/Scooter,
I share the same opinion as the both of you when it comes to AS and Crabtree. For the first time in either of their careers they have an offensive minded head coach with a decent OC returning. It is a make or break year for each of them.
@Scooter
“With respect to Crabtree – if he was a mid-round draft pick… ”
If we really want to go there, and say that, then we have to look at everything else that has happened as well.
If MC were a mid round draft pick and didn’t come to the team until after 1/4 of his rookie season had already started, would the Niners have even cared? In what instance has a mid round draft pick held out that long?
Of those who have, how many who were mid round draft picks who held out well into the season were pretty much given the starters job?
Of those how many didn’t work their tails off the coming off season (work with the QB a lot, get extra coaching to make up for the lost time, etc.)?
Of those how many got into a fight with a team offensive leader just days before the regular season started? Of those, how many stayed on the team, and still kept their starting job?
Of those how many just stood there in the opening game as a ball intended for him was Int and returned for a TD all without so much as a hard blow to at least knock the DB down during the return?
Of those how many continued being the WR targeted most whenever the QB threw an Int for the whole year?
Of those, how many acted as if they didn’t know who the starting QB was going to be when it was clear to even reporters (no offense Grant) who the stater would be?
Of those, how many led a team decimated with injuries in the WR position and a TE who was always double teamed led the team with receptions?
Of those, how many were left single covered for most of two whole playoff games while not performing as well as a TE who was double a who lot more than him?
Of those, how many complained about the QB and coach who kept his sorry butt for not just throwing it up there to give him a chance?
Of those, how many remained the sure handed starting #1 WR without question when the team gets 2 FA’s, spends a #1 draft pick and several UFA’ s?
How many #1 receivers would not be double covered if they really are the best receiver on the team in a game where no other WR had started or played much of anything or proven anything at the NFL level? How many #1′s would not be doubled or even triple teamed if the TE on their team was?
I’ll give you a hint to your answer. It is less than 1. If MC were not a #1 draft pick, he would not have been on the team for much after a year. If he was like a 5th round pick, he would have never been a starter or likely ever signed after how he acted. MC would not be MC if he weren’t a first round pick. MC would be pumping gas.
Scooter,
Like Bill Walsh used to say, “it doesn’t matter where we pick them, it only matters how they play.”
As you said, he was our best receiver last year and that will remain the same until proven otherwise. The infusion of additional weapons should help Crabtree reach the best season of his career just as it should Alex Smith.
This is going to be an exciting year!
DS, I really don’t care how Crabtree came to be the team’s #1 WR. Like I said earlier, once they are on the team, their draft position counts for nothing to me. Performance does.
Crabtree performed well that first season once he did sign his contract, especially for a guy that had virtually no practice time under his belt. Despite some crucial drops in the playoffs he wasn’t that bad last season either. He was a better WR than anyone else we had on the roster, even if he wasn’t a great WR or able to command a double team consistently.
Being a high draft pick does come with some luxuries, no doubt. A team is less likely to give up on a high draft pick as quickly as a lower draft pick. They pick them high for a reason – they think they have talent. But in terms of winning the starting job, Harbaugh won’t be giving that to someone just because they were a first round pick. Jenkins beware – everything is earned on this team.
Sure, Crabtree probably got a leg up on the starting job during his first season because he was the #10 pick of the draft, but now its up to him. But even at the time I thought this showed two things – (1) 49ers coaches had faith he was as good as advertised and (2) 49ers had no decent WRs that season. Harbaugh won’t be giving Crabtree any favours this year just because he was a high draft pick either.
DS, on another note – I also dislike Crabtree’s attitude. It doesn’t sit well with me. And I wouldn’t be disappointed if he was surpassed in training camp and they let him go. But only of they are replacing him with a better player, or if his antics got to the point they became seriously detrimental to team harmony.
@Scooter
No doubt. MC did perform well that first season all thing considered. If he had been there the whole time, I think he would have beaten JR’s rookie year performance. And I was still in his corner that whole time (hold-out and all).
And I’ve said all along. Training Camp will determine everthing. Not just MC, but all the WR’s. Minus Jenkins (who they just drafted #1) not a one of these guys has proven themselves to be elite judging from their most recent play (and certainly not as Niner WR’). MC is not the only one who is on the burner. They all (- Jenkins) are. I just as easily see Moss/Manningham/KW/Ginn being cut as I can MC.
It’s just MC’s attitude which does not sit well with me and is the reason why I am on him so much more than I am, say, KW. KW certainly didn’t show up MC, but he has never carried his attitude either. And to me, attitude does matter.
Also, nobody is really wanting to discuss those other WR’s (- KW), so the conversation does not change off of MC as far as the WR’s go. Jenkins our #1 pick isn’t even discussed as much.
AES
Show me some respect. The last blog went to hell via our MC discussion. I wrote that I won’t converse with you on the subject again. If that is what happens when I converse with you, it ain’t worth it.
If not me, at least show the blog some respect and don’t read/reply to my MC posts. In case you have’t noticed, a bunch of name calling quickly follows.
I thought you said you didn’t want the name calling? Well, do your part then. You are not going to budge on your position with MC. Neither will I. So stop it already.
That’s to ‘onesided’ DS (in your favor).
I’d like to think WE can negotiate a little better then that (lol).
Let’s make it work both ways. I won’t (directly) reply to you when you take a shot at Crabtree. But you must commit to not replying to me if I take a shot at Alex.
Deal?
DS,
For someone who likes to take credit for being the first one here to coin the phrase ‘hater’ it really smacks of hypocrisy about the ‘name-calling.’
But hey, If I did call you a name (I really don’t remember) I guess at the risk of being called a ‘flip-flopper’ by ‘oneAlex’ you do deserve an apology.
All good DS. Hopefully we’re two 49er fans at the end of the day, even when we vehemently disagree.
AES,
This clown DS didn’t create anything. There is nothing original about this clown but his hatred for Crabtree. His love for Smith is only comparable to OneAlex the idiot. They are 2 of a kind. The worst kind of fake Niner fans. SMithaholics.
@AES
Sorry for any confusion. I re-read my post, and I think I left out a few important details.
It wasn’t you who called me names. It was the fact that others who truly hate and despise me to bits, took the opportunity to do some very low life things off of your posts.
If we had a private chat room option, I would still discuss MC with you as you wish. But we don’t. So I won’t.
We are still cool to discuss the new stadium…Grant?
Impressive stats from LB Kourtnei Brown -played in 49 games (1 start) for the Tigers and tallied 75 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 10 TFLs, 2 FRs, 1 INT, 2 TDs (1 FR return and 1 INT return) and 3 PDs.
‘oneAlex’
Happy to see you are religeously following my posts line for line. If you continue to be a faithful follower perhaps you can become ‘oneAES’ (lol).
A nice Cinco de Mayo BBQ is calling on me. Send an offering and tune in again next week ‘oneAlex.’
Gee,and what would be Kyle Williams main drawback?..let me think…
Was it mentioned the 49ers signed three more Stanford players?
How about my Derby picks Blog????????
Andrew, very nice. You pretty much nailed that bro.
Good stuff…
I want competition at every spot and not rely on what happened last season we cant sit on our laurels if somsone is better play him this should be the difference with the last decade.
The family of Junior Seau requested an autopsy of his brain three days after the tragedy. Now they are reconsidering the decision.
Maybe they don’t want his brain sawed open..
Anybody having trouble getting on Lowell link? , I have tried for last 2 days, no go, I can get on here fine.
Aldon Smith Facts:
-Aldon Smith once recorded 3 sacks …….. on one play.
-Aldon Smith sacked a QB for a safety while he was standing on the 50 yard line.
-Aldon Smith’s warm ups and warm downs are padless nutcracker drills vs a bonafide, fully loaded, Frisco cable car … Aldon wins every time.
-Aldon Smith was born Septemeber 25th, 1989; 3 weeks later, Candlestick was hit by a 7.1 earthquake, fulfilling the prophecy.
Nice ElGuapo,
And so the legend of Aldon Smith continues to grow! (lol)
Oh.
You mean AS.
lol
I think you mean Chuck Norris did all those things, right? :P
LOL!! Yes Chuck did all these … but Aldon did them twice!
Justin Blackmon is sitting out mini-camp with a sore foot.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/05/06/jags.blackmon.ap/index.html?eref=twitter_feed
I told you he’s Crabtree 2.0
lol, oh boy. Who drafted him again?
the South Jacksonville High School Jaguars
@msc
Maybe there is a remake of the film “My Left Foot” and Blackmon is trying out for that role if his football career does not pan out and his foot got tired from all the exercises it needs to undergo for the lead role.
This calls for that old classic Shaggs tune, My Pal Foot Foot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR9d4ESlpHY
Off Season Battles:
Me and my waistline.
Grant you never graded the coaching staff, what do these guys need to do to get better from last year. Curious what you would give Greg Roman, I would give him a C plus.
I would say play calling and replay challenges.
Oh, and subbing in the young guys more on d-line, so we don’t wear out Cowboy and Ray.
Also Brad Seely, did a great job until the last game, where Williams dives for the punt, thank goodness he caught it, that might of been fumble # 3, then the one that hits his knee. That would of been enough to not even have a punt returner and just let the Giants kick it and let them just touch it with no possible fumble in the mix.
I just got finished watching the NFC championship game again. Our defense was unreal. There is no way we should have lost that game. Our running game was amazing. Over 150 yards and yet we put the game in Smiths hands and watched him continually roll right and throw the ball into the dirt. Kyle Williams not recovering his 1st miscue was inexcusable. He knew he touched it and could have recovered it but chose to try and fool the replay cameras. For that alone, he will not make this team.
There were some plays to be made in that game. Alex fans will never believe it but he made at least 6-7 really bad throws in that game that really could have made the difference. He kills me when he throws passes right into the hands of d-linemen and they knock the passes down. I don’t think I’ve seen Smith bounce as many passes at receivers feet in one game in his entire career. I’m used to him throwing high. Oh well. I see why we pursued Manning now. We need some aggressive QB play. Killer instinct QB play.
You Smithers better watch out for JJ. You may see him a lot earlier than you think. You don’t give a guy a $350,000 signing bonus if you don’t think he can make the team. He will be on Smith’s heels so Alex needs to be something he’s never been. A better than average QB!
It’s going to be an exciting training camp – as Grant’s post suggests, there are plenty of camp battles to look forward to, and it’s great to see the talent level so high. These battles are no longer about who is the best of a bad bunch. Alex will rightly go into training camp as #1, but despite what Harbaugh is currently saying I think it’ll be a competition not just for the backup spots but also for the starting spot.
In saying that, the pressure is firmly on Kaepernick, Johnson and Tolzien to prove to Harbaugh they need to be given a shot – to pass Smith they will need to play lights out, or Smith will have to play terribly.
Scooter,
Very well said. This team is primed to win a Super Bowl. Only devastating injuries and bad QB play can stop this team. They have to be twice as good offensively than last year!
You would think that Smith would look at Drew Brees footwork, the guy is 4 inches shorter then Smith and he never has his throws blocked. But Smith is the opposite of pro-active meaning he is a slow learner, I saw him the other day going to training camp, he was in a little yellow bus.
LMAO!! Yeah right!!??
One of the main complaints about Alex Smith is his footwork. Thats been a problem of his from the start of his career. He does not step away from that defenders arms in the pass rush to make that throw. He tries to throw it through the guys arms. How often can you get away with that?
61.3% of the time, apparently.
After a long time I finally watched the NFC Championship game. The Giants were beaten, all you had to do was look at Eli in the 4th quarter and in overtime. He was being pounded. The offense didn’t have to do anything, the defense would have taken the ball away. No matter how good your team is you have to be lucky. Maybe Coach should have taken Williams out, the points of the game have been debated over and over. After Williams muffed the first punt I was rooting for him to atone himself, but after the fumble in OT my feeling was this was a player out of control that cost the team a SB.
Andrew, agreed. There is a reason they upgraded the WR’s in the offseason. They also added a playmaker in the RB position with James. More weapons that were needed last year. KW tried to do too much and should have been coached more closely by BSeely in the Championship game.
The team needed some slack, hopefully it was provided with free agents and the draft. The line between winning and losing was too close.
Andrew,
Williams played the entire game a littlecunsure of himself. I felt like the game was just too big for him. He was almost responsible for about 4 turnovers instead of 2. I understand that he’s young but right now, we just can’t give a young player that kindcof responsibility. That’s why Kap wont win that 2nd string QB job. We got away with murder last year with no backup with NFL experience. Considering Smiths history with injuries, JH did a very smart thing this year by getting a backup with NFL experience. JJ is unflappable. The moment won’t be too big for him when he gets his chance.
Hofer,
We finally agree on something. Williams should have been told to stay away from the ball for the rest of the game, when he dove for that punt in the 2nd quarter.
@Andrew
The sucky part is that the defense did apparently take the ball away in the last 5 minutes or so. That fumble blown dead early.
That was the play the Niners D made all year long. Then the offense goes out there and puts the nail in the coffin and wins the game.
It’s tough to re-watch that NFCCG. If the offense had done anything, anything at all, in the 2nd half the 49ers win that game easily. The defense put up a heroic effort. Too bad only half the team came to play.
Bs,
I never thought that play was a fumble. I didn’t like thenfact
That Harbaugh complained about it being a fumble. The forward progress was lost. Bradshaw was being pushed backwards when he was stripped. He wasn’t digging for yardage. That was no fumble in my opinion.
Msc,
You’re absolutely right. We couldn’t throw the football to save our lives in the 2nd half. Should have stuck with the run. Those two misdirection plays to Kwndal Humter were 2 of the biggest plays we had the whole game. Besides the 2 TDs to Vernon.
Welcher
Welcher
WELCHER
I can say it, because it is fact. Not opinion. Fact.
Smith didn’t play a great game Jordan, but as usual you slant things to make it look worse than it was. The passes he threw into the ground which there were two of, would have been minimal gains, so it’s not like they were game changing plays. You also gloss over the fact he threw two TD’s and took the team down to get the lead before Williams blew the game with the misadventures on ST’s.
The Niners played that game offensively the way they did all year; conservative with a lead in a tight game. If you are disillusioned with that, blame the Coaching staff. The fact is, it worked all year and would have worked in this game as well if Williams doesn’t make the gaffes he did.
The difference in the outcome of this game was two key TO’s that gave the Giants 10 points. That was it. Alex Smith did not lose them this game and in fact did enough for them to win. These were two evenly matched teams that played toe to toe and it was mistakes by one that decided it. To try and lay blame on the QB is misplaced scape goating.
Rocket,
Exactly.
Also, the refs ripped the 49ers off with 2:22 to go in regulation. Bradshaw was hit and stood up for a split second, then struggled for extra yards. Almost simulatneously, the second man in stripped him and the 49ers recovered, but, no, a ref blew an early whistle. The 49ers would’ve had the inside the Giants’ 25 [17?] yard line. The game would’ve never gone into overtime, had the ref done his job.
Of all the playoff teams who lost, maybe only Big Ben played a better game than AS did. And that is a big maybe. I’m leaning towards not.
By definition, you can’t have great/good QB performances in losses. The primary duty of the QB is to manage the game (Joe Theisman said that if you were wondering), and if you having a good/great game you are managing it, and managing means winning it.
Rocket – I understand what you mean, but my take always is that a team (including the QB) didn’t play well enough to win if the team loses. It’s a shame that K. Williams had those two horrific gaffes that led to NY points, and if you take those points away the 49ers win. But those mistakes happened and Alex (and the rest of the team) needs to be good enough to score more points than the opposition despite those errors. In this game only the defense can really hold their heads high – there wasn’t too much more they could have done to win.
Couple of video clips of Montanas Drive and Smith drive. The article is trying to show some similarties I just enjoyed the videos.
sorry forgot to add.
http://www.ninersnation.com/2012/5/5/3000422/comparing-and-contrasting-49ers-quarterbacks-and-their-drives
@undercenter
“Montana and Smith actually both checked down to their running backs the play after their connections to Rice and Davis. And then appropriately call for clock stoppages.”
I actually remembered that while watching the AS drive. Wondering if history would repeat itself. And it did!
Underwater,
Alex Smith’ defining moment and a game that will go into 49er folklore.
Was VD lined up as a ‘slot receiver’ on his winning TD catch? The DB had no chance in stopping him, and of course Alex’ pass was right in the numbers.
Seeing G.Williams trying to walk off some anxiety on the side-lines is classic as well.
…actually AES the DB had no chance of stopping the ball because Alex threw a perfect bullet in the numbers…..
The DB could have knocked off VD before the pass got there, which would have prevented the TD……
@DS
The checkdown the play so many hate is so instrumental in the WCO
@AES
Yes he looks like he is in the slot and just like his catch over the middle he wasnt playing tight. Williams looks gaffed and I was loving that. Smith pass to Davis on that slant was deadly.
AS threw that ball well before VD made any move. And the pass was perfect.
That takes….reps. Practice. Over and over again. Something that JM to JR also required.
Even if the DB had made a move, I don’t think he does anything to stop it. Eric Davis was cheering as AS wound up his throw.
No it isn’t undercenter!
:P
AES, “Was VD lined up as a ‘slot receiver’ on his winning TD catch?”
No, he was lined up as a flex TE, with Peele just outside of him.
That’s a cool look at the two drives…and then you scroll down and see Tim ripping Smith in the comments section. Some things never change.
It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane….shyte…..It’s Jordan Welcher!!!!
Nice play on semantics oneAlex, I kinda said the same thing. Alex put the ball in the numbers, but if you need to use “perfect bullet” I’m cool with it.
So it looks like the UDFAs to watch are:
Kourtnei Brown – LB
Jewel Hampton – RB
Chris Owusu – WR
Anyone have any predictions?
@Adam
Every team has their un-drafted “Nicks” at this point. Every single team.
Nicks was a first round draft pick. Thus not every team has their “Nicks”, ie the Raiders did not have a rd 1 pick.
Maybe DS meant to refer to the undrafted Cruz?
I know Mood.
That is correct Mood.
I think Hampton and Owusu have very good shots at making the practice squad this year but don’t see them cracking the 53.
Do you think either one survive the PS? Or do they get picked off by other teams?
That is a tough call Adam because it depends on other teams’ needs. To get the players on the PS they first need to release them so it is a gamble. That’s why they kept Ian Williams on the 53 last year, they didn’t want to lose him.
Hampton and Owusu probably won’t get picked up before they clear waivers due to their injury histories. Williams was a player that was a priority free agent for a lot of teams, so the 49ers knew there would likely be interest.
Teams were scared off Hampton and Owusu during the draft due to their injuries, and I imagine they’ll be scared off after training camp also unless either player really kills it during pre-season games. And I agree, I think they will both be guys the 49ers want to keep on the PS, though Owusu does have a realistic chance of challenging for a 6th WR spot on the 53 man roster.
Not sure on that. We took a chance on Frank Gore when he was pretty banged up in college and it may be that Owusu’s number of concussions have been reported inaccurately.
Both guys were supposed to be pretty high up on several team’s draft boards.
Both guys had real good Combine numbers.
Dunno, but it’s interesting!
My prediction, none of the three will make the 53-cut, but at least one of them will make the PS.
I don’t see any of them making the roster. PS candidates maybe but not the active roster. There just isn’t much room on this team for new additions.
Whether with the Niners or another team, I think Owusu will one day be a solid NFL WR.
Agreed. I think in a couple of seasons time I think Owusu could take over the role Manningham will play this year.
Grant,
What is the story with Tony Jerod-Eddie from Texas A&M? It was originally reported he would sign with the 49ers as an UFA, but his name was not on the list sent out by the team last week. Baalke seemed very high on this guy. Did he go somewhere else?
Alex Smith turns 28 today, and he’s still 7 months younger than rookie Brandon Weeden of the Browns!
Maiocco has an interesting blog article on Smith working with the coaches to fix one of the two mechanical flaws this off season.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/Smith-gets-offseason-to-work-on-mechanic?blockID=703544&feedID=5936
August couldn’t come soon enough.
He’s hired a “mechanics guru” to work on the 2 flaws. Begs the question why wait this long to hire an expert to fix them?
Why fix flaws when you play for Dingleberry?
Perhaps he was busy digesting a new playbook each off-season. Perhaps because the “mechanics guru” needs to be recommended by the QB coach so that there is not conflicting advice. Most importantly, for a young QB, the need for a “mechanics guru” needs to be articulated by the QB coach and OC.
So who was his QB coach in his early years with the Niners? None other than the legendary ex-linebacker, Jim Hostler, who was subsequently promoted to be OC #3 in the Parade of the Niner OC’s.
He had the same QB coach and OC between 2009 and 2010. Who can forget that dynamic duo of Mike Johnson and Jimmy Raye?
Maybe the inexperienced HC’s didn’t see the flaws or didn’t have the OC’s in place long enough to care(??). JH, GR, GC may have recommended AS to the QB guru in SoCal that could help with his flaws. BTW, CK went to a QB guru as well this offseason.
Additionally, JMo didn’t have to work on his flaws with an out of house expert, he had BW and SWyche – two of the best ever in house.
This is why I believe in Smith, the guy is a winner because he knows he needs to continually get better and the 49ers have provided him the guidance as to “how” to get better. That was not happening with Sing and Nolan and those useless offensive coordinator who were trying to fit a round peg in a square hole.
Now he needs someoen to tell him that he’s actually left handed.
All joking aside, it’s good to see Alex’s desire to improve. Most of us know he needs to. This is ‘show me time’ now.
Those 2009-2011 numbers sure look better than the injury-plagued years for sure.
there will be no battle between a.j. jenkins and kyle williams. williams will be cut [he will be picked up and do well for another team] jenkins will make between 40 and 50 catches with 5 td’s for the super bowl champion 49ers in my humble opinion
because of gore and moss’s ages and crabtree brittleness i think the 9ers will keep hampton and owusu on the practice squad
according to matt barrows a.j. jenkins is going to do the”hill” with jerry rice
yes, it’s good news that A.J. is not going to miss the rookie mini-camp.
I am seriously crossing my fingers that Jenkins doesn’t get struck down by the rookie WR hamstring curse. If he can stay healthy during mini camps and training camp I think he will be a strong challenger for the starting line-up.
Aside from catching balls from NFL QB,’ we don’t know how a rookie WR will respond to NFL speed and contact.
We may have a ‘gem’ or an ‘average’ type player in A.J. We just don’t know until he get’s into a game. Hopefully, we have a gem. The better the player(s), the better the team.
TC is just around the corner and we’ll all get to see what we this years draft and F/A’ players have to offer.
Really?!! That is interesting. I know that hill very well! It overlooks highway 280. Hmmm.
Nice link Mood.
There should be some concerns especially with locking his knee when throwing
Aside from potential accuracy issues, there’s an issue with possible knee injuries if tackled when his knee is planted and locked.
March 27, 2012
“Stan, for the Niners to draft a RB who’s better than Anthony Dixon they’d have to draft one in the first round or trade up in the second.”
May 4, 2012
Anthony Dixon, the incumbent goal line back, has scored just four. To make the team, the 24-year old Dixon will have to completely outshine Jacobs in training camp.
49ers signed UFA Tony Jerod-Eddie, NT, Texas A&M today. Baalke seems to be high on this guy.
Baalke on Texas A&M defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie: “A big body guy that we’re going to give to Jim Tomsula and let coach work his magic. Jim’s one of the most underrated coaches in the NFL. He does an outstanding job with the front seven, and with the front three in our 3-4 package. (Jerod-Eddie) is another guy we’re going to throw in there and hopefully develop for a future here. We didn’t carry one (DL) on the practice squad last year, because we kept seven on the 53(-man roster). This will be a young man we hopefully can develop. Not saying he’s on the practice squad or 53; he’s got to earn that. But we’re certainly high on him and we’re glad we were able to sign him.”
grant, consider yourself lucky to have a job.
We all should.
LaMichael James will not be used like Grant thinks. LaMichael James is 10x’s better than Darren Sproles right now. Darren Sproles is a huge weapon, LaMichael James is at the NFL level and will take over games. Getting him to the outside in Jim Harbaughs ground and pound offence will be extremely entertaining