SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Opening Statement:
“Good afternoon. Everybody is working hard, everybody is focused. We know how good Seattle’s defense is. I think they are statistically the third ranked defense in the league in yards given up. But the reality of it is, they’re good at every position, safeties do a great job of covering guys really, really tight. Not afraid to load the box up. An opponent we know and the previous games we’ve had with them really have no bearing other than we’ve got some familiarity with them. Any questions?”
I know they’re playing a lot of new faces in the secondary, how are those guys holding up?
“So far so good, the past couple of weeks they haven’t been giving up a whole lot of points. But they’ve been doing a nice job.”
Anyone in particular, the rookie [Seahawks CB Jeremy] Lane, does he pretty much fit that mold of what they look for in a corner?
“I don’t think that the guys that they bring in fit the mold that [Seahawks CB Richard] Sherman and [Seahawks CB Brandon] Browner fit, they’re just such long guys. But they’re good corners, they can play any style and they play a physical style.”
How do you think WR Michael Crabtree matches up with that sort of physical press style?
“I think Crab matches up well against everybody. Crab’s a player who’s ascending. He gets better and that’s what this league is all about, it’s improvement. He’s a young player in this player in this league and he’s a guy that’s showing up big time for us, regardless of the style of coverage.”
He had that catch in the end zone between two safeties, both of them closing in on him. I mean that’s sort of a gutsy catch to stretch out like that. Has his toughness surprised you at all this year? Were you expecting the type of breaking tackles, the things he’s been doing this year?
“Oh I think he’s elevated his game. You can call it toughness, Crab’s a football player, he’s a tough guy. The beauty of it is that he doesn’t go around banging his chest, he just gets it done and that’s what we’re looking for. That was a great throw and catch in traffic. He finished the play. That was a big time play.”
As a coordinator can you take us through that touchdown, the last touchdown to Crabtree? Head coach Jim Harbaugh had mentioned after the game that that’s not necessarily how that play is designed to go, so what drew [QB Colin] Kaepernick to making that pass?
“That play’s got a lot of options on it and it’s something that they were doing on defense. It gives you a chance to hit a guy running underneath. But they decided to all-out blitz and Kap’s got some different options if they do choose to play a zero. And he chose Crabtree and whistled it out there to him and then Crabtree made him miss and scored.”
When you’re watching that play, when you see they’re coming with seven guys, are you thinking get it to Crab?
“[Yes], but also with the knowledge that the tight end could pop open and could just flash on you vs. Cover Zero. You can pop it to him, but it’s probably one of those two guys on that play.”
Kaepernick and others have said that Crabtree is never afraid in a big spot to say, “Hey, come to me, I can get open.” Is he doing more of that this season now that his confidence has grown, his ascendancy as you say?
“I think he’s always been confident. He’s never been one, at least around me that I’ve seen, that is making wide-ranging boasts and claims. He just goes about his business and is taking care of his business. He doesn’t beg for the ball, but he’ll be quick to point out when he makes a big play that you can come to me in those situations and that’s good. He’s a team guy all the way, team guy all the way.”
How beneficial has [RB] LaMichael’s [James] emergence offset the loss of [RB] Kendall Hunter?
“I think it’s very important. It’s very important that anybody that’s active for the game is ready to contribute. I think we all think LaMichael can bring a different style to the game and he’s shown that in the limited amount of exposure he’s had. We just look forward to keep developing new ways to use him as part of the offense. He’s got a great demeanor about him. I thought all the weeks that he was inactive, I thought he handled himself very well, kept working hard, gave the defense a great look every day and didn’t make himself a distraction to the prime directive of winning. So, he’s done a great job. I’m excited to see him flourish.”
Can you coach yards after catch?
“Yeah, I think there’s no question you can, no question. There’s a skill to it, knowing where the defenders are before you catch the ball. Knowing the tendency of defenders, are they going to go low on me, if I turn my back is he coming up high? Is he just a one-shot, one-trick pony. I mean he’s going to hit you, and try to blow you up. Michael for example works cone drills before practice every day and I think we’ve seen that skill develop this year.”
Seems like study too though?
“Yeah, I mean we can take it to real high level, there’s no question. And that is definitely the highest level, know who you’re going against and what their tendencies are. That is the nth degree of study.”
Does Michael do that?
“We definitely try to bring up tendencies of guys. Some weeks there really isn’t a lot to go on, some weeks there are. But he works hard at it from a physical perspective. It all starts with the strength of just the will to make a play when you get an opportunity, I’m going to make something happen. I think it all starts there.”
What did you say, he works what drills before practice?
“He works cone drills with his feet. I think we’ve seen those come to life on some quick throws to him where he’s making guys miss and he’s playing tough and getting extra yards after the catch. But yeah, he works diligently at that every day.”
Is that something he started doing this year or had he done that in the past?
“Done it a little bit in the past, but this year it’s been real consistent.”
Did that come into play on that last touchdown where he kind of side stepped the defender?
“I don’t know, probably. I think he just made the guy miss and made a play. I think his mindset is, I’m going to make something happen and that’s a great mindset to have.”
We know this hasn’t been [K David] Akers’ best year. Has that affected your offensive play calling in the 20-40 yard range on the plus side of the field when you get down there?
“We’ve got total confidence in David. We’re always going to make decisions, team decisions on offense and whatever’s best for the team, however the big picture fits together that’s what we’re going to try to do to win the football game.”
Given the weather and the Patriots offense, there was some school of thought going into that game last week that you were going to play keep away and real conservative. Was kind of your mindset the Patriots might be thinking the same way, the way you opened the game with all those passes?
“I don’t want to explain how I think because then other people will know me, think along with me. They’re a good team and you just try to do what’s best. I think they’re pretty stout up front.”
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what a beast
Beast of burden.
Nice!
Love the Stoney Mahoney Reference.
Wasn’t it not too long ago that many were still bagging on Crabtree? Because as some of these Loons here were speculating he was “faking” an injury so he wouldn’t have to do TC?
Seems pretty Lame now doesn’t it?
I know right niners. He is one of the most underrated players in the nfl
Crabs definitely has upped the ante in terms of burst/quickness/power – huge factor lately.
“prime directive”? i guess Roman is an old Star Trek fan… :-)
“We’ve got total confidence in David”. Pyschological massage. How could anybody have total confidence in this guy?
Cause he has been a very good kicker for many years and he is injured but still doing his best. That’s why…
What has he done lately other than create an enviroment of fans on their collective knees praying everytime he lines up to kick a field goal?
Coach-speak again. They don’t have confidence IN him, they’re trying to give confidence TO him. I don’t know if its a mental/confidence issue or the injury; we won’t get that info from Harbaugh.
Akers has been worse than average this year. Not being mean, I don’t hate him or his family. But the same brutal “law of the natural selection” that allows a good Alex be unseated by a potentially even better Kaepernicus is hanging over Akers now.
Aside from long field goals Akers is pretty much the same as last year with fewer opportunities.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/85646/ranking-kickers-as-akers-deals-with-threats
Rumor has the Vikings possibly shopping Harvin this offseason. Likely cost is a 2nd or 3rd rounder. Should 49ers get in on that action?
@ Jack:
1. As an improvement on Kyle Williams?
2. What the latest on his migraines?
As an all around play maker. He can return kicks, great Yac, runs the ball out of the backfield. The only issue is if you want to spend the $$ on him with the other areas of need.
@ Jack:
He’s only signed through 2013. A 2nd or 3rd round pick seems high for a one year rental. Is Harvin a team first guy?
Plus, I might want to save picks from the 2nd/3rd round for draft day trade flexibility.
injury prone and probably wants a bunch of money. Not 9ers style.
@ Jack,
I really want to see Jenkins get a chance, also he is kind of a disruptive dude. We need to get deeper on the d line, would love to find the next Justin Smith in training. We are in the position of doing trades because we have a boat load of pics.
We need a punt returner, James was horrible in the pre-season trying to catch the punts in windy Candle Stick but hopefully he has improved.
Crabtree is a good possession receiver. We need a big guy like andre johnson, megatron, the Falcons reivers etc. We need a big target downfield.
I though moss would fill that void.
Crabtree has fought the lable of a possession receiver, he has moves and has a good YAC now. I agree with another big receiver, although VD has the speed of a receiver he is really not a natural receiver like a Brent Jones was, who has better hands and was a at full speed ahead after a catch, he was one tough dude.
Crabs was healthy and had the same abilities last year. Our QB gave up on his routes too early…
Bay
Last year, and the years before crab never broke tackles. I mean not at the rate he is doing so now. I have been one of the posters who was hard on him in the past and I think with due cause. Last year he had 4 td on 72 catches KW had 3 TD on just 20 catches and one of crabs td’s was from akres. So Alex threw 3 to each one and its safe to say that MC wasnt that explosive. This year its totaly different. He is finally healthy, playing in the preseason allowed him to hit the ground running and it looks like he is getting better by the week.
I now have full confidence of him winning matchups vs the other teams top CB
CK is hanging on to the ball a full second longer than AS did with the same group of O-linemen. Don’t you think this extra second is giving Crabs the time to gain more separation and be more successful?
Crab was a beast the 2nd half of last year. Where have you guys been???
Bay,
Interesting stat, what’s your source?
“Don’t you think this extra second is giving Crabs the time to gain more separation and be more successful?”
Crabtree was successful the second half of last year and the first half of this year with Smith playing.
Under 8 full games with AS,
MC averaged 4.8 catches for 55 yards a game
Under 5 full games with CK
MC averaged 5.7 catches for 71.3 yards
Against the NY Giants in 3 full games with AS
MC averaged 1.6 catches for 16.9 yards.
Bay,
If you go back to the 2nd half of last season Crabtree’s numbers were among the top receivers in the league.
He has been productive with both QB’s.
You guys that think Crabs tore it up the second half last season are right to a degree. 6 of the 8 teams they played against were not playoff teams.
Against the two playoff teams they did face,
NY Giants
B Ravens
Crabs averaged 3.5 catches for 35.7 yards. In the end, these were the true measuring sticks since it’s what you end up facing in the playoffs.
And then in the playoffs once again against playoff caliber teams the drop off continued.
Against the Saints and Giants in the playoffs Crabs averaged:
2.5 catches for 14 yards per game….
So was Crabs really tearing it up in the 2nd half of last year or did he beef up his numbers against crappy teams?
@ bay:
If you are going to look at the caliber of teams against whom Crabtree racked up his yardage last year, shouldn’t you do the same for this year?
@ bay, jack:
In the interest of putting things in perspective, here is some additional relevant information.
Total yards passing/game in 2012
Alex Smith: 207.4
Colin Kaepernick: 216.6
Since the 16 yard/game increase in yardage to Crabtree > the 9 yard/game increase in total team passing yardage, the passing yardage to the rest of the team has gone down collectively by 7 yards/game. Draw what conclusions you will.
Or don’t because Harbaugh’s decision likely had little to do with increasing the statistics of a single receiver.
Sure Clod,
which games should I use?
Under AS the Packers, Vikings and Giants?
Under CK the Bears, Dolphins and Patriots?
Claude,
I am tiring of the continual propping up of Kaepernick. It is obvious to almost everyone that he is an improvement, no reason to keep up the comparison’s with Smith.
Crabtree’s performance is directly tied to the QB, but we have seen him make runs like this in the past…
@ bay:
Pick whatever games you want. Just be consistent in your selection. Or, here’s an idea, don’t make up manufacture some b/s reason to downgrade the 2011 numbers in the interest of advancing your agenda if you aren’t going to apply the same standard to the 2012 numbers.
@ Jack:
You are correct that Kaepernick doesn’t need propping up because it is clear that he is doing incredibly well. But this isn’t about propping up Kaepernick. It’s about propping up bay.
C Balls,
It appears that you don’t have too much to say after AS topic. I know you Smithers got your feelings hurt, but time to move on. Kaep is going to be a great QB, you can’t say that about Alex.
Neal
Sure you can. If AS goes somwhere and plays well and becomes great U and others CAN say that. Now if at the time the 9ers are doing well it will be nothing more than a good story cuz we will have a good-great QB of our own.
I dont get it AS is no longer the QB for our team why do u keep obsessing over him?
@ Neal:
I am not sure what you are trying to say. I didn’t start this topic; I merely responded to the comments of others. I also have weighed in on non-QB topics.
Bay,
I’m sure Crabtree would be the first to say that the opportunities that he’s getting under Kaepernick are far greater than the opportunities that he got under Smith. Hes been open for both QBs. However, the ball getting
there a bit faster is giving him a
chance to make a move and shed a
defender easier. crabs is averaging about 100 yards receivng the last 3 games. Yeah, it’s the qb difference.
Bos49er,
The defense won many games for AS, I really doubt that he will be great somewhere else, he will be going to a weaker team, Jets, the media will kill him, Cards, Buffalo, all of these teams suck and it takes a few years before AS will learn a new system. No way he will be great somewhere else as you had possibly indicated.
Neal
Define Great for me. If he goes to say Baltimore and becomes a more eficient game manager with the same stats he had this year but his team wins and he plays clutch he could do it. Chances are he already played under some version of any new offence he will see (7 dif offences learned already).
AGAIN Im not saying HE WILL BE GREAT but saying HE NEVER WILL BE GREAT is wrong. never say never ,remember AS will never win vs good QB’s never win a playoof game etc…
BOS49er,
I can’t see him going to the Ravens and playing for another Harbaugh, I still give Flaco a edge over Smith as a QB, but Smith will be cheaper. Here is thing, BOS, AS can play great some games and then he can sucked in other games. So if you mixed sucked with great, you have a average QB. He just does not have the DNA to be a consistently good QB. Let’s move on, AS is irrelevant.
It wouldn’t hurt if we had a speedy little guy also – Deshawn Jackson comes to mind. he is a bay area guy to boot.
Seems like Harvin or DeSean would be pricey.
Wasn’t AJ Jenkins drafted for that reason?
Nick
Exactly, I think AJJ can be a really poor mans marvin harison. Before I get bum rushed for comparing a player with no carrer catches to a HOF let me explain. Harrison was 6 feet 180 lbs He NEVER broke tackles in fact he dove to the ground a la Ike Bruce and a few of RM plays from earlier this year. He wasnt a “jumper” battling for balls in the air. But he was a great route runner who got separation with his burst and agility and obviously had great hands and field awareness (things u can teach and improve on) I saw AJJ run a corner route in the preseason where he got in the gap (CB and FS) so quick he could continue to accelerate after catching the ball. Id love to see him get a chance to run a deep crossing pattern or a dig and catch it with a head of steam
Oh yeah and playing with P Manning doesnt hurt either
Fantasy Advice For Championship Match At NFL.Com/Fantasy
My Team:
Cam Newton
M. Lynch
A. Foster
B. Marshall
R. Cobb
G. Olson
K. Moreno
L. Tynes
Houston
Bench:
V. Ballard
D. Amendola
M. Crabtree
V. Davis
O. Daniels
I need this win to be champion of my league and a shot at a trip to the Super Bowl. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
Consider benching Lynch given that you have a viable RB option
Bench Lynch for Ballard?? Nope.
He’ll get his, and the 49ers will still win. They’ll gameplan to take away the big play, knowing that the front 7 will take care of business. Lynch will get lots of touches, but in a losing effort.
(I have Lynch on my team, and i’m in my finals as well. My big question is, do I start Kaepernick or Roethlisberger??)
Start Kaepurnicus!
Love, that Crabtree is having a great season so far. I remember how the Crabtree topic became a hot button issue back in the first few days of training camp when he sat out about a week with an injury.
The argument was that Crabs was not a team player, didn’t want to participate in pre-season games, and that he was somehow milking a foot injury.
Glad to see that all those arguments are being dismissed by none other than Crabtree himself.
Crabtree had much to prove going into TC. He had to be looking over his shoulder and see that the team went after R.Moss, M.Manningham, and took a WR with their top draft pick.
Perhaps no one can prove that this was the incentive that Crabtree needed to pick-up his game, but something has definitely clicked for Crabtree this year. Whether he morphs into a possession WR on not is of little consequence as long as he continues to develop into a top ten WR for years to come.
Kudos, M.Crabtree!
“…something has definitely clicked for Crabtree this year.”
He’s finally healthy for a complete season for the first time in his career. The breakout actually started in the 2nd half of last season.
Exactly Jack 2nd half of last year he really got it going so why do people act like it only happened since CK took over?
Selective memory I guess?
I guess MC’s lack of production in the playoffs left a bad taste
@ philly9er:
They’re trying to advance a discredited agenda.
Philly
It could be because the last 3 games he has been targeted double digit times each game after having at most 9 targets in the first 12 weeks . Either way im glad to see him consistently coming up big for us, especially on 3rd downs
Nick,
Its another level now. Hes catching the football down the field for larger chunks of yardage. Not having to break two tackles on wide receiver screens with DBs hanging on his ankles as soon as he lands from fielding a high throw.
Act like you cant see the difference if
you want to. Its crystal clear to me. Kap is hitting guys in stride. That was not happenung with Smith. Not enougg anyway.
23J
CK7 is definetly putting the ball where the receivers have a better chance of YAC. Go Niners. We’re in good hands with CK7 at QB.
The Seattle D line is hurting. Backup DT Jason Jones was placed on IR yesterday. Their starting DT, Alan Branch, didn’t practice Wednesday (ankle). If Branch can’t go, then rookie Greg Scruggs will take his place. This will certainly affect their run D. With Sherman and their other CB possibly not playing, the Niners should be able to effectively move the ball on Seattle. Look for LMJ to get some big plays. Last week, Buffalo RB Spiller had some big runs against Seattle. LMJ is a similar runner and has a better OL and better running schemes.
On the flip side, Seattle WR Rice and backup RB Turbin did not pratice on Friday. Wilson’s big plays came from the read option formations. Look for the Niner D to neutralize Wilson and Lynch.
Can you say Least Mode?
Niners win this one 31-16
I thought sherman’s hearing is today and he wont have a ruling til after sundays game so he is playing?
It looks like Sherman will play on Sunday
LoL Nick! Way to go out on a limb and state exactly what Grant already posted.
My inside sources from New York, is that there is a strong indication that Sherman will play
Jack
Lol, that was a reply to BOS49ers question. On my post above, I had said Sherman might not play (which was before the news broke).
Once Sherman’s hearing was scheduled for this Friday, it was clear he was going to play against the 49ers.
LMJ has” great demeanor about him”-saw an interview with him on telly last night and that was my take on him as well.Love this kid… came up huge last week,happy we drafted him.
Philly9er,
Actually I never mentioned AS in my post. I was stating the argument that was a hot button topic in early training camp.
I argued that MC was our #1 WR in receptions last year according to his stats. A few here were bent on not giving him that title based on his championship game, his remarks following that game, and the points I mentioned I’m my previous post.
Hey, its all good.
Glad to see that MC is ballin regardless of who is the QB.
AES
That was me to some degree. While i didnt acuse him of faking an injury to get out of TC, I did say that leading our team in catches like MC did (72), didn’t make him as much a leading receiver as VD(67 catches) who had more explosive plays(20+ yards MC-15 VD-20 and TDs (4-6). And because 3 of MC’s TDs came in low key fasion vs the rams it did not seem like he performed like a number 1 WR. Like I posted above especially if u consider that KW had 3 td on just 20 catches.
But this year he is proving me wrong. And I could not be happier about it, he is finally starting to play like the guy i envisioned when he slipped to us on draft day.
ALL ARROWS UP for MC :)
Hear, hear!
We are finally benefiting from our number one receiver playing like one. Only he always had the ability to play like one. Especially now with a playmaker at QB.
Under 8 full games with AS,
MC averaged 4.8 catches for 55 yards a game
Under 5 full games with CK
MC averaged 5.7 catches for 71.3 yards
Against the NY Giants in 3 full games with AS
MC averaged 1.6 catches for 16.9 yards.
Wonder why the switch was made?
BAY
In the first 8 games with AS at QB Davis had 25 catches (3.125 catches a game) and 4 TDs In the 6 games with Kaep (i gave him the 1st rams game even if it helps CK’s numbers) he has 14 catches (2.3 catches a game) and only 1 td. And before anyone sugests that the low catches is due to drops the targets went down as well: 36 targets in 8 gms w/Smith 21 targets in 6 games w CK7.
So its not so much that CK has made MC flourish. Its more like CK is throwing the ball to MC instead of VD at the rate of about 1 ball per game, which incidentaly is the amount by which MC’s numbers have improved under CK
Wow Bos thanks for opening my eyes to that. I didn’t know VD began to struggle with CK came in….
All under AS leading up to the QB switch.
VD versus Giants 3 catches 37 yards
VD versus Seattle 0 catches 0 yards
VD versus AZ 2 catches 34 yards
VD versus Rams 1 catch 6 yards in one half of play
Total 6 catches in 14 quarters of play for 77 yards…
Want me to add up the CK quarters now?
VD has gone away this year because Roman and Harbaugh either don’t know how to utilize him, or they don’t care to make him the main focus…
BAY
I will add them for you. Last 4 games under CK (17 quarters) VD has 4 catches for 25 yards.
So lets recap Under AS 6 catches for 77 yds in 14 quarters Under CK 4 catches for 25 yds in 17 quarters
YOUR MOVE GOOD SIR
And thats factoring the fact that u cherry picked VD’s worst games under AS as opposed to taking a random sample (like say the last 4 games)
Incidently VD’s ONLY 100 yrd game came under whom as QB?
You guessed it
BOS,
look at the entire season and you can see that VD’s production is off with both QB’s.
Which takes me back to my comment. The staff either doesn’t know how to creatively get the ball to VD or they don’t care to make him the focus…
IMO if that is the case then they are overpaying for the position and should trade him while he has value.
Bay
I dont entirely disagree with that notion. Although when JH and co took over I kept hearing about how JH looooves TE that he ran 3 TE sets at stanford and that VD and DW would flourish. I am a bit confused as to how the coaching staff couldn’t scheem a better plan for him and doubt that JH’s love affair with the TE position is over. But if it is no use paying premium for something that is underutilized
I think most teams still view VD as the 9ers most dangerous target and try to take him away. Any insight on this Jack?
from ESPN matchup guide:
• Bracket coverage around Davis: San Francisco TE Vernon Davis is one of those rare players who virtually never comes off the field when the 49ers have the ball. He provides matchup issues for most secondaries, although Seattle does have the kind of speed in the middle that can match Davis stride for stride. Look for SS Kam Chancellor to provide help over the top when San Francisco tries to push it down the seam. Chancellor has the size (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) and the speed needed to match Davis on go routes.
AES,
I wasn’t disagreeing with your previous post. I remember all of the talk about Crab being a diva and a bust that was being said on here, and I’m glad Crabs been proving them wrong.
I replied that way only because on a blog a couple of weeks ago there were a couple of people insinuating that Crabs finally got a QB to throw him the ball. But when it was brought up that Crabs been playing good all year and leading the team in receptions even under Alex I was considered a double poster for some reason.
@ philly9er:
There’s an agenda, and you dared to question it. Certain commenters get their panties in a bunch when someone points out that the facts don’t support their position.
Let me be the first to predict A. Smith to the jets the 9ers will get a 2nd or 3rd rd pick. If they take the pick in this years draft they would have the jets, panthers and their own 3rd rd picks. They could package 2 3rd rd picks and their own first rd pick to move up to about #10 in the first rd. Who do you think they would pick with the # 10 pick in the first rd? Or what position would they draft if they had #10?
LSU Sam Montgomery is who I would target in your scenario.
@ old coach:
Assuming the 49ers will be picking 32nd in each round, I don’t think they will be able to trade up to the No. 10 spot merely by combining 2 3rds with their 1st, at least not if the traditional draft pick trade value chart still holds.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/draft/draft-trade-chart/
According to the chart, if they combine their 1st and 2nd round picks with a mid-round 3rd, they could get up to No. 15.
@Claude i hope its #32 but if its a little lower and the 2 3rds are carolina and the jets figuring the jets will lose their last 2 games it could move us up in the “area” of the 10th pick. Also if the 9ers could get a 2nd from the Jets for Smith. it could be higher.
Claude,
On top of that, given that the salaries paid high draft picks has been brought under control under the recent CBA, high first round picks may be even harder to obtain.
@ old coach:
Until proven wrong, I am working on the assumption that the 49ers will be picking at 32 in every round. Right now, the Carolina pick will be No. 10 in Round 3. Assuming the Jets select at 11, the combination of the 49ers’ 1st, the Jets’ 2nd, the Panthers’ 3rd and the 49ers’ 6th would be enough to get them to the No. 10 selection.
Since I haven’t started looking at likely draft picks (it’s good when your team is likely to go deep in the playoffs), I don’t have any idea who I would like to see them target. Personally, I would be happy to see them target a DL/pass rusher they absolutely love and then make the necessary moves to get him.
Whew! Just glad we all survived the end of the world. Now bring on some football!!
Jack,
You think we’re surviving? The day isn’t over. Down here in LA, they think the world is actually coming to an end. Their proof is that the Lakers are below .500.
Golfer
If only Nash can return before the day ends, All would be saved :)
My C’s arnt much better but still cant miss an opportunity to gloat about the Laker’s issues
I love it when the Lakers aren’t good. The Laker fans are so confused by the whole thing. The feel a championship should be their’s for the taking every year.
Jack
The storm just rolled in. We’re not out of the woods yet.
With the amount of rain being dumped I think we can rule out Fire as the means of destruction.
@Razor would he be an OLB or down lineman?
Down Lineman
If we had the #10 pick i think i would go with a CB.
There is depth at CB. I say go Verrett out of TCU (if he declares) in the 2nd. I only say this because he is a friend and a BEAST.
@ old coach, Adam707:
If you’re looking at CBs, I would also suggest looking at Dee Milliner (Alabama) and Xavier Rhodes (Florida State).
Matt Waldman writes on the NFL prospects of collegiate players for Football Outsiders (he also writes about the NFL draft for the NY Times). He wrote a three part series on Milliner, Rhodes and David Amerson of NC State, using screen shots to illustrate his points. He had good things to say about the likelihood of Milliner and Rhodes becoming NFL shut down corners. Both reviews are good reads, and I recommend them.
Claude
If i remember corectly (as i sometimes do) Rhodes is a bigger CB. If we have to draft a CB would u go for a sherman/browner bodytype CB who locks up outside or would u prefer a smurf assante samuel type slot CB to cover the likes of welker and amendola when CR moves on?
Any links you can share Claude?
@ BOS:
You are correct. Rhodes is 6-1 or 6-2 and 215-220 pounds. Milliner is 6-1 and 195-200.
You raise a good point. If Brown can handle the slot receivers (I remember reading that Fangio has been playing him inside some this season), then I would prefer the bigger press corner. If not, then the team’s need would be for someone capable of covering the slot receiver.
@ Jack:
Rhodes: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/futures/2012/futures-florida-state-cb-xavier-rhodes
@ Jack:
Milliner:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/futures/2012/futures-alabama-cb-dee-milliner
FO has had some server problems with the website this week, so yo may have to try the link a couple of times.
Speaking of good reads, here is Ben Muth on the Aldon Smith-Nate Solder match up Sunday night:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/word-muth/2012/word-muth-dont-underset-aldon-smith
He also analyzes the 49ers defense of a run play (h/o to Ridley on the second play of the game). It’s good stuff.
Great link claude. Hopefully aldon can win his matchup with Okung this week and get to Wilson.
TGIF fellas/9erGirl!! 2 more days til Battle in Seattle!
“Crank that Crabtree”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpZxhOMAvkk
Happy Friday, Crabs!
Already scoping out spots in Idaho to watch this one – thankfully its a national broadcast. Just hope we’re not stuck in a blizzard somewhere, lol!
Don’t know about you, but I’m sick of all the experts telling us how great Seattle is – they beat down two bottom feeders while the Niners took out
Miami and NE (in Foxborough for heaven’s sake). So ready for these guys to stfu. JH has PC’s number and that will be evident by the end of the game!
Can’t wait until Sunday – Go Niners!!!!
Seahawks would be 8-4 without a gift from replacement refs. 9ers would be 12-2 if they had 2011 David Akers instead of the 2012 version. The 9ers are a much better team. Seahawks arent bad and they have every advantage in this game with being at home and the 9ers coming off an emotional win on a long road trip. I still expect the 9ers to put this one away in convincing fashion. Seems like our guys are peaking at the right time.
9erGirl – Yes….Harbs owns “Pete the rat.” He is 5-1 overall against Pete. Harbs has NEVER lost on road to Pete (2-0 on road @USC & 1-0 @Sea).
Make sure your Raida hubby keeps you warm out there in Idaho 9erGirl girl. You must be a cute snow bunny. ;)
I will get ripped for that one probably.
@Razor he weighs 260 thats really light for a 9er down lineman. 9er down linemen are considered a DT\DE hybrids and usually weigh in the area of 290
Mr. Uyeyama will put 15lbs of muscle on his frame.
@Neal I have a strong feeling AS will end up with the jets and we will get a 2nd or 3rd rd pick for him Thank god most people think he has alot more trade value than you do.
old coach,
I was talking on the phone with my best friend yesterday, who has been a season ticket holder for many years. He dislikes Smith as much as I do, but he believes his trade value will be higher since he has not played in 5 weeks and his statistics when he got shelved, is good, his contract is relatively cheap compared to other QB’s, and I believe we will get a third or a 4th rounder for him, we have many picks and we just want to dump him or trade him before April 1. He might go to the Jets because the Jets need a cheap QB salary after the Sanchez resigning fiasco.
So we are actually pretty close in our prediction. I think it will be the Jets for a couple of reasons other than they are dumping Sanchez and Tebow and smith will come cheap. Those reasons are rumors are Ryan is staying but only if he gets a new O coordinator. N. Turner will be available and he likes Smith and lastly with Ryan at the helms he will wo’nt a conservative QB who excells in throwing the underneath routes and does’nt turn the ball over.
I think Smith will do well in that system and no matter how little anyone thinks of Smiths abilities no one questions his mental toughness which to play in NY you need a boat load.
Old Coach,
That being said, I see AS being a quick fix until another QB of the future will get a opportunity to start, don’t see him as a long term solution. Also the relationship between Turner and Ryan is surly, I don’t see them together, maybe Turner wants to take a break, and not get into a eye of the storm is N.Y.
Forgive the length of this but I copied and pasted from a ESPN insider article for the benefit of those who don’t wanna pay for it. 5 QB’s with uncertain futures.
Alex Smith | QBR in 2012: 70.1 | QBR in 2011: 45.8
Key 2012 Stat: 7.5 air yards per attempt, ranking 30th in the NFL
Plenty of fans feel Smith got a raw deal from the 49ers; coach Jim Harbaugh benched him as he was coming back from a head injury, and after he had led San Francisco to a 6-2 start. But while there’s never a good time to get a concussion, Smith stands to benefit hugely in the long run from the fact that his numbers were frozen in the middle of this season.
Smith
Smith still leads the league with a 70.0 completion percentage, and his passer rating (104.1) says he’s been the third-best quarterback in the NFL in 2012. When he hits the market, Smith’s impressive traditional stats will probably land him a big payday from one of a half-dozen teams desperate for a starting quarterback, and his sympathetic plight will earn him a big welcome from its fans.
Good for him — but whoever signs Smith should understand what they’re buying. Since 2009, Smith’s seasonal stats have been quite steady and precisely reflect his skills. Smith doesn’t throw deep, and he’s not terribly accurate, but he makes very few mistakes, in part because he holds on to the ball instead of throwing picks. Over the past four seasons, he has averaged just under 7.0 yards per attempt, with 22 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a whopping 41 sacks per 16 starts (though he has made 16 starts in a season just once in that span). QBR, which factors in the game-changing nature of long passes and sacks, understands Smith is much less valuable than the passer ratings he has posted, and from 2009 to 2011, his Total Quarterback Rating bobbed between 40.2 and 45.8.
Of course, this season, Smith’s numbers exploded, but that’s largely because he dinked and dunked very successfully at the beginning of the year. For one thing, he completed 93.3 percent of his screen passes (14-of-15) before getting injured. For another, he connected with Frank Gore on 23 of 28 tosses (82.1 percent); in 2011, Gore managed to catch just 56.7 percent of the balls Smith threw his way (17-of-30). And whereas Smith was terrible in the red zone last year, completing just 41.5 percent of his passes for 2.7 YPA and taking five sacks, this year he was great, connecting on 12 of 17 passes for 5.1 YPA and eight touchdowns.
We shouldn’t completely discount these accomplishments, but they probably aren’t sustainable. Especially since from game to game, Smith has always had extreme ups and downs — he was the sixth-most inconsistent quarterback in the league last year — and it looks like Harbaugh simply decided to lock in his gains from Smith’s terrific first half and never let the spike drop. And really, a half-season of short-yardage excellence doesn’t fundamentally change who Smith is. General managers should evaluate and sign him based on his long-term record, not how he happened to be playing the last time they saw him.
Verdict: Smith can help a team, but less than you think.
@Grimey Sounds like he will have good trade value
Grimey,
Ive been a 49er blog GM for quite some time now and Smith has never fooled me. If he gets a big contract next year, that would amaze me.
9er blog GM, is that anything like monday morning QB?
I always wondered if Alex Smith was better than Tebow. I might finally get a xhance to find out wurh them both heading to jacksonville! Lol
Grimey,
More like friday afternoon@
@ Grimey:
What he means is that you should consider him the Vinny Cerrato of the blog.
Claude,
Go on the internet and find me his resume and cut n paste it here for me. Hurry Up!
Grime
Thanks for posting that article. It gives an honest analysis of Smith’s value around the league. One factor not mentioned in that article – and one that will be weighed heavily by NFL GMs – is the Harbaugh factor. Pre-JH, Smith was mediocre. Post-JH, will he return to being mediocre? I think he will.
Neal/Coach
If Alex ends up with the Jets, his career as an NFL QB will be severely hampered. Rex Ryan’s main focus is on D and tends to neglect offense. With the disfunction of the Jets organization, AS will revert back to the QB he was under Singletary/Nolan.
Jordan
A blog GM? Good stuff man.
Neal i did’nt know Ryan and Turner had a history
Old coach, they played each other last year, and Ryan said the Chargers have a good team and is surprised that their record didn’t indicate being a good team and Turner said in the news conference, how many Super bowls did Ryan have. It might be nothing but just jive turkey talk.
yeah i remeber now
Dear Santa Grant,
After you get us the ‘edit’ button we’ve all been begging for for over a year now how about asking the computer geeks at the PD to figure out a way for the blog to automatically delete any posts that contain the word “Alex”. Just imagine how much harmonious life would be around here if the children were no longer allowed to argue about their favorite subject?
your post would have just been deleted. Plus we wouldn’t be able to talk about the beast that is Alex Boone.
Yes it would have, but since that filter doesn’t exist I’m safe for the time being. You’re right I forgot about the pages of posts that have been dedicated to Alex Boone so far this year, /bonk my bad.
Hammer:
“Crabtree was successful the second half of last year and the first half of this year with Smith playing.”
Agreed Hammer. Crabtree did come on in the second half of the season. But (you would know this better than me) it seems to me that his YAC are dramatically better this season.
While AS was having a very good completion percentage rating before his injury, I still felt that his completions were not necessarily putting the WR’ in the best position to gain extra yardage.
I don’t have the stats (that’s not my ‘bag’ lol) to prove that point, but it certainly seems that our WR’ (sans VD) are being led with passes with CK7 at the helm.
But when all is said and done, Crabtree was beginning to excel with AS as QB, and now with CK7 as well.
yup