What are the top-five questions the 49ers must answer this offseason? I’ll give you my list, and I’d be interested to read yours as well.
- Can the 49ers’ defense improve? Once Justin Smith got hurt in the third quarter of the Week 15 game against the Patriots, the 49ers’ defense imploded. They went from elite to awful, giving up 34.4 points per game in five of their last six games (not counting the Week 17 win over the Cardinals). The 49ers could not generate a pass rush, which exposed their secondary – Tarell Brown is good but short, Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner are better against the run than the pass, Carlos Rogers lost a step and cannot keep up with quick slot receivers, and Chris Culliver is inconsistent and inexperienced. Justin Smith’s return from triceps surgery next season may mask all of the defense’s problems, but he will be 34 years old. Trent Baalke needs to bring in Smith’s heir apparent and two or three new defensive backs to compete with the current group.
- Can Jim Harbaugh become more detail-oriented? His team has some bad habits. For one, they commit too many penalties – in 2011 they committed 6.8 per game, and last season they committed 6.7 penalties per game – sixth worst in the NFL. Those are Raiders numbers. Second, this season the 49ers often came out tight in the beginning of games (especially in the playoffs), and they could not maintain their competitive focus long enough to win four games in a row. Teams tend to reflect the personality of their head coach. If Harbaugh could make himself more even-keeled like John Wooden, and less like volatile Bobby Knight, the 49ers would benefit.
- Can Colin Kaepernick improve? He had arguably the best first-10 starts of any quarterback ever. Still, he could improve his red-zone passing – he had a 48.3 completion percentage and an 80.3 passer rating in the red zone last season. To compare, Alex Smith had a 70.6 completion percentage and a 97.1 passer rating in the red zone last season before he lost his job. It seems like a no-brainer that Kaepernick will improve, but there has been a history of QBs having sophomore slumps in the NFL. Cam Newton just had one, and Tom Brady missed the playoffs in his second season as starter.
- Who will play kicker? David Akers has to go – he clearly lost all confidence last season. Will the 49ers sign another veteran kicker or draft one? Will the 49ers make this position a priority or will kicking be a weakness once again next season?
- What will happen to Alex Smith? Will the 49ers trade him or keep him? If they trade him, will they draft a quarterback? Will the new quarterback be a traditional quarterback or an athlete Harbaugh can mold into the next Pistol threat?
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Great analysis on question #1. The 49ers need a situational pass-rusher, an heir apparent to Justin Smith AND a nose tackle who can actually push and help collapse the pocket along with 2 or 3 defensive backs to compete with this group who believes in their own press too much (Pro Bowl).
“Once Justin Smith got hurt in the third quarter of the Week 15 game against the Patriots, the 49ers’ defense imploded.”
You are dead on with that one. Our defense was pathetic from that point on. The seahawks,cardinals,packers,falcons, and ravens had their way with us in some form or fashion. Even arizona had big plays against us. nedd to think about altering philosophy and take chances and blitz a little more. Either that or get carved up with no pass rush.
Newton still had a pretty good season after starting off slow. #6 on your list could be landing a reliable deep threat WR that doesnt have stone hands or is younger than 30yrs old.
1. Can the 49ers’ defense improve?
Yes, but not without a pass rush. The drop off after Smith was injured was as ridiculous as it was glaring. They need more depth on the D-line and they need a better SS, especially in the red zone.
2. Can Jim Harbaugh become more detail-oriented?
Yes. As good as Harbaugh is, he has plenty of room to grown and get better as a coach. He will do just that.
3. Can Colin Kaepernick improve?
He has just scratched the surface of what he can become. He may be the most impactful player in the NFL and is nowhere near his ceiling as a QB. He has shown to be a relentless worker while displaying a rare passion to be great. The Pistol is great and all, but CK has the skill set to be an elite pocket passer and the wheels to terrify defenses. He and Harbaugh are what every NFL franchise covets, a legitimate HC/QB combo.
4. Who will play kicker?
Don’t have a clue, but I would be shocked if it were Akers. He is beyond rattled, he is Ray Finkle at this point. “Laces out.”
5. What will happen to Alex Smith?
He will be traded for another player or draft picks. Releasing him would irresponsible from a business standpoint. He is an asset that can bring value via trade. If this team wants to be a perennial competitor, they need to conduct business like one.
Kaepernick has a better attitude that Newton, and is more mature, as well. Not to mention, he has equivalent, if not superior, physical tools. It also pretty clear he has a better feel for the game, also.
Kaepernick’s development may level off a bit, but I really see little reason to expect a regression. In fact, it looks like a leap forward is much more likely than a sophomore slump.
The unique thing about CK is that he doesn’t seem to have any sense of entitlement. He seems very aware of the amount of work required to be successful at this level. He has also shown to be a good leader when things are going bad. Cam Newton tends to sulk on the bench by himself with a towel over his head when things go bad. He also tends to blame others for his teams failures. Nobody would take Newton over Kaepernick at this point.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d81f54896/article/kaepernick-holds-slight-athletic-edge-over-newton-trainer-says
Big P,
You have to love CK’s makeup.
Plus ck has far superior talent around him that Cam Newton doesn’t. That should help out a bit
Those are 5 good questions. My additional questions are:
- Which free agents will the 49ers re-sign? Which free agents will they look to bring in?
- How will they shore up the WR position? It has been the Bermuda Triangle of sorts the last couple years. You go in, but don’t come out.
- What changes will Jim Harbaugh make to the coaching staff to improve that group?
Jack, maybe an additional question could be, “Which players under contract might the 49ers cut?”
Whitner
I would expand that to: Cut Whitner and move Goldson to his natural position, strong safety.
And I would expand that to draft Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International to pencil in at FS.
Cyprien made some money after his performance in the Senior Bowl, for sure. He is already on my pre-combine draft board along with Elam.
Another possible would be Haralson. 49ers drafted two OLB’s last year and I wouldn’t doubt they draft another.
Very good questions, Jack. For the second one, my best guess is the 49ers will cut Manningham and sign someone else to a cheap one or two-year contract. What do you think they’ll do?
Grant, I think the 49ers are going to keep an eye on MM’s rehab very closely and if it doesn’t like he’ll be ready by camp, they’ll cut him. There will be a few receivers out there like Domenik Hixon (yeah, another Giant) that will be out there for one or two year deals.
Victor Cruz
Just an update as of 1-26-13, according to MM his PCL was not torn, but badly bruised. The ACL was the only tear. That is better news, but still not sure if he can get back in time for the season.
Razor, I would be all right with Cruz, but he’s looking for the big payday and I think the Giants know they need to keep him and will payup.
Been hearing that about Manningham. I would like to see them go after Harvin and draft a WR around the 3rd or 4th round.
Just not sure if Harvin’s game is different enough from Crabtree’s or if they would be willing to part with the necessary pick(s) to make that trade.
Harvin is a terrific player. Can he play split end? He may not fit with Crabtree. Plus, Harvin may be too expensive for Baalke.
I was thinking the 49ers might sign Brandon Lloyd to a cheap one-year contract if the Patriots cut him.
Jack, definately is similar production between Harvin and Crabtree until this season. But being a smaller receiver, I wonder how well he would be against some of the aggresive DB’s in our division? But there is lots of versatility there that could work with the 49er offense and ST. I say if the 49ers can make the right deal, they should go for it.
Was just checking and saw that Harvin is due 2.9 million this season which is less than Manningham’s salary. If the 49ers could get the trade and sign him to a similar deal as MM’s, it doesn’t seem out of reach unless a team like Tampa with their 50 million in cap space put a bigger carrot in front of him.
That is why I am not sure with Harvin. The more I look at him the more it looks like he just duplicates what Crabtree does as a receiver but he’s not as good. The money is only $2.9m, but Baalke likes his picks.
Are you thinking Lloyd for his ability to stretch the field?
Yes, that’s why I’m thinking Lloyd. He burned the Niners for 190 yards on ten catches two months ago. That may stick in their minds.
*Okay, that was screwy . . . LOL. -1 for me! It’s a trade scenario.
I wanted Lloyd last season, so I still consider him a decent option. I guess I’m waiting for some big-bodied, fast star receiver to say, “I’ll play for cheap!” LOL
49ers need somebody that can punk Richard Sherman and Browner!
I can see that as a more likely option. Who else do you think they may be looking at?
Honestly, I don’t think they have targeted anybody yet, but are more likely watching teams in cap trouble and who might get released in the next few weeks. That and getting ready for the combine to take a look at possible draft choices.
Space we don’t need slow and small, we need big and fast: Dwayne Bowe!
I give Dwayne Bowe to the 49ers about as much chance as I give Mike Wallace to the 49ers. Too expensive to tempt Baalke, especially given Kaep and Crabtree will need extensions after next season.
A healthy Greg Jennings would be a nice pick up. But yeah, Brandon Lloyd could the most realistic option.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/12/the-harvin-debate/
Dating all the way back to high school, Percy Harvin has been in hot water and stepping way over the line of acceptable behavior. He was actually banned from playing in all Virginia High School sports after punching a referee, and his issues continued during his college career at the University of Florida.
In Gainesville, Harvin was known to skip workouts, was involved in a fight with his receivers coach, and missed time due to a suspension for marijuana. Those problems haven’t disappeared as a Viking. He has already been involved in sideline screaming matches with Bill Musgrave and Leslie Frazier, and had to be physically separated from former head coach Brad Childress in one altercation. The bottom line is Harvin has a legitimate history of flying off the handle and overstepping the boundaries of acceptable behavior, whether it has been punished or not after the fact.
He also has a long injury history. His time in the NFL hasn’t been too bad, missing just 10 of 64 career games (seven of which came this year with a torn ankle ligament), and he is undoubtedly tough as nails, but including college he has missed time with ankle, neck, rib, heel, and more ankle injuries, as well as a well-documented battle with migraines. He is tough, but Harvin is just 5-foot-11′ and 184 pounds, being tackled by players that outweigh him by 60 pounds or more on a regular basis — that doesn’t add up to a player you can rely on week in, week out.
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Harvin is very good but I’ve never thought we was better then his baggage. I believe we can find equal or better talent without all of the headache and missed practice.
“The drop off after Smith was injured was as ridiculous as it was glaring.”
I would suggest that the drop-off was a result of both Smiths being injured. Since the Patriot’s game, even when Aldon was 1-on-1 with a blocker, he still was unable to achieve the kind of push he had earlier in the season.
Another point to ponder — even if Justin Smith is completely healthy, losing Aldon Smith for a game or two may have a similar negative impact on the pass rush. Those two working together is what has generated so much success.
For these reasons, I agree with the idea that the 49ers need to draft (or otherwise acquire) a situational pass rusher – someone who could sub for Aldon in the pash rush as needed or provide additional pressure when Aldon is in the game. This does not mean the 49ers should not look for a backup/replacement for Justin Smith, but doing just that might not be an adequate backup plan if both Smiths are injured/out.
Being banged up didn’t help, but AS didn’t have a sack the last six games. That is ridiculous. There wasn’t even much pressure. I hear what your saying, I am just surprised at how bad the pass rush was after JS was injured. They need better depth and more explosiveness on the D-line. That will help in coverage more than another CB will.
I completely agree – the DBs need some attention, particularly safety, but the most pressing issue for the D is the need for some quality depth at DE and OLB. Can’t rely on the 2 Smith’s, Brooks and McDonald to play more than 95% of the snaps for a whole season and not get banged up or fatigued.
Scooter I completely agree with you! We need DL and LB that can put pressure on the QBs! A good front seven will make our secondary much more effective! Just think about it, our DL has been playing all snaps at a very high/physical level!!! Also, both Smiths and Brooks were injured! I honestly believe Aldons shoulder injury completely changed his game! We got to get the defense fixed first!
“Can the 49ers’ defense improve?” Absolutely.
The 49ers suffered a freak cluster of preseason injuries at Outside Linebacker. Baalke described as “dangerously thin” at Outside Linebacker in 2011. They responded by drafting two at that position to backup Brooks, Aldon Smith and underrated swing-man Parys Haralson.
Then the injures came. Gone for the season were Parys Haralson, Aldon Smith’s primary backup (and capable 2011 starter). Also lost were the two OLB draftees.
With healthy back-ups for Aldon Smith, expect a rested and ready pass rush in the 2013-2014 postseason.
As they say, a good pass rush hides a multitude is sins in the secondary.
Correction: A good pass rush hides a multitude OF sins in the secondary.
I’m hoping Darius Fleming and Cam Johnson come on strong 2nd season, but I’d still love to see another pass rushing OLB drafted early (first 3 rounds) to compete. Hopefully one of them at least will rise to give the starters a breather when they need it.
Agree on 1st Question-2nd would be nice if we all could be like Coach Wooden!-3-Colin will improve-bring in Coach Ault to assist this process-4th Dustin Hopkis-5th-he moves on we get a draft pick!
That is Dustin Hopkins-this refresh rate is testing my paltry typing skill!
Top, I saw your draft on the previous blog. Looks good. I’ll post some draft related reads soon. I already mentioned SFloyd and JJones during our first discussion and others picked up on it. JJones may be a good value even though his status has dropped a bit, but is still worthy around #20 in the 1st round.
Thanks Hof-glad somebody noticed. Took awhile to fit that together,dont know if Datone will be there in the first but coupled with B williams in the second we bolster our D considerably!
“Can Jim Harbaugh become more detail-oriented?” He is very detail oriented. I think the 49ers need to (only once in a while) tone down the multiple shifts and formations. Surprise defenses by snapping the ball on the count of 1 a few times per game. Stabler was a master of the quick count.
Also, the play calling system needs to be simplified/streamlined so the 49ers are not always snapping the ball at the last second.
“Can Colin Kaepernick improve?” He will. Look what he did in the Bears game with Manningham and Williams. Imagine what Colin will do with a full training camp with first team reps.
Manningham injury has me concerned. If he’s not himself by the end of training camp, do you cut him?
The 49ers might have to make the cut decision sooner rather then later. I heard (not sure if its true) that if the 49ers don’t cut him before training camp, they owe him big bucks for the season.
3.2 million guaranteed for MM.
trying to imagine Coach Jim Harbaw taking on the qualities of the great John Wooden…. can we get back to you on that?
Can we wait until Harbaw wins his first Super Bowl before we have this conversation? The idea of the niners building a championship dynasty, as did the Bruins… Yes they have won five times in the past. But so far, the total under the current head coach is zero…
Can the 49ers’ defense improve? Up to Baalke. We all have a bad year. The key is to follow up a stinker with a rose. This draft is very important.
Can Jim Harbaugh become more detail-oriented? Add a wise, calm commodity to the offensive staff with Coach Ault.
Can Colin Kaepernick improve? Again Ault.
Who will play kicker? I’d take a 5th Round shot on Hopkins and let him compete.
What will happen to Alex Smith? They should be able to get a 2nd Round pick for him.
#2 is extremely puzzling. In his first year as head coach, the niners rarely made mistakes. In fact, were a model of attention to detail.
Not sure what happened in year 2
Drafting a QB is a waste of time and it just won’t happen unless it comes @ one of last rounds. Tolzien is now the #2 and incredibly well respected by all in that locker room. I still think that Tolzien has a more calm cerebral focus as a QB, not all the physical tools as Kap. Kap needs to slow things down and control that adrenaline.
If we stock up on WR’s/ CB/ and other defense, we’ll be in this every year like NE or 49ers/80′s
We will sign a third QB -if not Josh Johnson then maybe someone like Matt Scott in mid rounds(hopefully before the Seahawks grab him!) .
if the niners let smith walk wouldn’t they be eligible to receive a compensatory pick? if so, what round would that fall in? i wouldn’t take any thing less than that pick. it would be nice to get a pick this year, but with 14 picks already and only a couple holes to fill it is not necessary.
?????????? They own him. Up to them to negotiate to the highest bidder.
I’m not sure, but I think compensatory picks are awarded when teams lose players to free agency. They are not awarded when players are released.
The 49ers choices seem to be
- Lose Alex Smith + gain draft picks in a trade
- Lose Alex Smith
Good questions Grant,
Here are some more.
Is Jenkins a bust?
Who is going to replace Tedd Ginn?
How are we going to split the playing time between James and Hunter, is Hunter staying or going?
Do we need a replacement for Gore, last year of his contract, or can we squeeze another two years from him?
Good questions, Neal.
Here’s Part II of your first question: Will the 49ers hedge their A.J. Jenkins bet by drafting another receiver? If so, when? A lot of good wide receivers should be available at the end of the first round.
Agree with Grant. To win in today’s NFL you have to be able to pass and stop the pass. A team can never have enough legitimate pass rushers, cover corners and receivers… even if they are already stacked at those positions.
The big need is depth at defensive line, but if there is a run those positions (as most mocks show there will be) the 49ers could go BPA, including a receiver.
Thanks Grant, also any chance of a drafted receiver, that can return punts, or maybe a safety or corner.
Actually a couple projected in 2nd and third look promising Grant – Quinton Patton and Justin Hunter,etc.
I’d try to upgrade Ginn Jr with Hester.
My main question is: Will the 49ers have a better play caller next season? Personally I think Roman is abysmal and especially bad in stressful situations. I don’t doubt that he’s fine at devising plays and schemes, but selecting plays is an almost entirely separate skill. I truly believe that the 49ers would have won the Super Bowl (and a couple more regular season games) if we had had an ace play caller at the helm.
Also, Grant, why don’t you try to find out what kind of shoulder injury Aldon Smith had. The season is over, no need for Harbaugh to be secretive, except for general paranoia, and we fans would like that information to help us evaluate Aldon. Thanks.
The other teams in the league would like that information to help them evaluate Aldon, too. Don’t hold yer breath…
Seriously, what good would that information do an opponent? When the season starts he’ll either perform well or he won’t. All this secrecy Harbaugh goes through is silly to me.
Culliver basically threw Whitner under the bus in speaking about the Jacoby Jones TD catch. You know, the one where Jones burns Culliver, falls and catches the ball on his back and still has time to get up and run into the end zone. Culliver says Whitner should have been deep to give him help. Whitner responded saying Culliver got burned. Add Carlos Rogers not doing anything to merit his Pro Bowl entry this year and the answer to #1 “Can the D improve?” is YES they MUST. Draft and trade for the next Lott, Wright and Williamsons and re sign Goldson.
the D must improve or we wont get back to the SB. cant give up 33 points a game and expect to win consistently, against good teams with solid/good defenses.
this is where the Jenkins pick hurts, until proven otherwise. If we could count on him being a solid contributor at WR, we could use virtually all our draft picks on shoring up the defense. I’ve seen rookie WRs come into the league with little impact, but zero catches is the worst i’ve ever seen, barring debilitating injury.
Kaep is only going to get better. he runs like an angry wildebeest and has an accurate, rocket arm. experience is only going to make him a more dangerous weapon, albeit increasingly from the pocket. that’s fine, I want this kid around to win SBs years from now, so an increasing focus on passing out of the pocket – which he does very well – is good.
i hate to say it, but we’re living on borrowed time with Gore, my favorite player for some time now. he’s got a lot of miles/hits on him, and NFL rbs tend to wear out pretty quickly. If we had WR nailed down, i’d think we have to draft an every down, between the tackles RB. LMJ and KH are exciting, but they cant take that kind of every down pounding.
Totally agree. The chances of Jenkins being worth that 1st round pick seem remote. I bet Baalke wishes he could take that one over. But despite that, I think we go all defense the first 3 picks. DL, S/CB, and OLB, not necessarily in that order. My gut tells me that if we’re going to have an effective #2 WR as the starter, he’s probably not on the roster yet and will be a draft gem or FA pick up. Hopefully the former, naturally.
Hey, I’ve been to the Masai Mara in Kenya and seen what looked like thousands of wildebeest and zebras on the plains at migration time. Wildebeest are mostly pretty placid. So I’d suggest a different analogy in the future for Kap’s running style. Just trying to educate the sporting public here.
Didn’t you also spend a considerable amount of time stuck on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific with Chuck Noland?
Yes. You’re probably wondering how I manage to type my comments.
He did say “angry”…….
Grant:
What do you hear about Haralson’s injury and contract status?
What do you hear about Bowe? Great talent, but is he a head case?
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/11/dwayne-bowe-scares-one-nfl-scout-to-death/
The kid has baggage cause he has been on a team in the arm pit of America. Talent sometimes equate to baggage but you will not win in the NFL with a team full of good little boys. That’s why you have captains and coaches that make millions of dollars, sometimes that means baby sitting.
Get this guy, he is a difference maker and a great compliment to any offense.
Prime,
You are beginning to enter DS/Mike Wallace territory from last offseason, and the likelihood is about the same.
Jack not a big fan of hindsight but let me ask you this. You put Wallace or Bowe on the 49ers next year and are we not the best offense in the division?
BTW where is DS?
Prime,
I’m not arguing their abilities, but rather their price tags. I don’t see the 49ers putting out the type of money either is likely to be looking for.
Tier 2 free agents and the draft has worked fine up until now plugging in the the key positions in the trenches. Now we need that one or two free agent guy that is gonna be the difference maker.
You look at where that is on this roster and its at WR, the DL, and in the secondary. You can trade some picks and move up in the top 10 and get a difference maker but after that eventually you will have to open up the purse strings and spend. We are that close and one top 10 pick and another in free agency makes us roll through the reg. season. Otherwise it will be a long grind, with a tough schedule and relying once again on unknown depth.
In the NFL you have to be active in free agency to stay competitive. I know these guys want their money but they also want a ring an right now that’s the best sellin feature for the Niners. You telling me CK is not an attractive option for either Bowe or Wallace minus a couple million?
Prime,
It is a mixture of both, and if done right the big money goes to your guys that you developed.
How has being active with the big money free agents worked out? Name one team in the last 10 years that spent big in free agency and actually won.
The Saints w/D Brees is one example.
It took Brees 4 years to get to the Super Bowl. I doubt any of the big $ guys that are being brought up will be around in 4 years.
Jack, you said to name *one* and I did. :)
Hofer,
It was a good find. Bravo!
I believe the context of Prime’s argument is that they would push the team over the top in 2013, not 2016, but I may be mistaken.
Jack, actually DB’s first year with NO @ 10-6 was successful after several losing seasons. They fell flat for two years and then won the SB.
That is great, he won 10 games. Peyton led Denver to the best record in the AFC this year. Did either of them help their team win a Super Bowl right away? No. That is what Prime and I were debating.
Paying big money for that 1 guy to get you over the hump almost never works out, and eventually costs you more because it puts a stranglehold on your ability to build depth which is what gets you through the 16 game grind that is an NFL season.
“You put Wallace or Bowe on the 49ers next year and are we not the best offense in the division?”
Where does prime say winning a SB??
Grant, what’s up with this refresh crap??? this sucks!! I just lost a lot of writing…..smdh!!!
We will have problems signing key positions in the future.
We can’t have too many LB’s that are paid highly, so
Trade PW.
VD makes too much money and is approaching 29, trade him.LT’s, WR’s CB’s QB’s Rb’s and pass rushers make the most money. What do we do??I hate losing our guys!!!!
will the salary cap increase that much? Can we keep our guys and still pay CK when the time comes? You know he’s the next 100 million guy……what do we do people? I say we look to trade our players in the next couple of years and continue to draft well and plug those guys in.
The cap is increasing by about $1 million.
of course this doesn’t mean trade franchise players like CK.
I was thinking the same thing BigNiner. Our own success plants the seeds of destruction.
Although….I’m still for keeping Vernon. His value to the team is a lot more than his receiving yardage would indicate.
When Kaep is due for his next contract, if he continues to improve and succeed…….some choices will have to be made.
It’s not just VD, but we’ll have to pay 3 lb’s big money. we still don’t a have a #1 cb and Crabs will want big money as he’s shown in the past. Our Oline will need to get paid too. What do we do? trade players early for draft picks? Bill walsh used to cut players early but I’m for trading to get some value back. Only problem is you need another team willing to take on those contracts. My idea is draft a player, keep them through their rookie contracts, sign an extension, usually this means they’re getting paid and then trade before their second big contract.
Percy Harvin just said that no matter where he ends up he will hold out for a larger contract.
Saw that earlier too. I think Grant’s Brandon Lloyd suggestion makes good sense.
Lloyd doesn’t extend the field and that’s why he’s out of NE.
Please no “Ducky”.
No surprise there, and given he was in the MVP talk before being put on IR he’ll likely be expecting top WR $$
I’m not seeing Harvin. The Baalke way of squiring free agents is patience. Let other teams make the splashy big bucks bids. Clean up on less known FAs later.
please no percy harvin. Correct me if im wrong, but I don’t believe he has ever played one full season without getting injured; concussion, knee ect. great talent, but not what we need. A dwayne bowe type of receiver is what we are lacking; tall, psychical, great in the redzone. just draft keenan allen and make me happy.
agreed, not reliable healthwise.
Terrelle Pryor is going to be released. Maybe the Niners should bring him in camp to compete. He might not be bad running the pistol. Maybe Harbaugh can make him into a legit QB and trade him for picks next year…..
Why would he be released when they’re talking about him being the future…
Interesting that Maiocco thinks he’s coming here….
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1525531-nfl-rumors-teams-that-would-be-great-fits-for-percy-harvin-trade
I think Brandon Lloyd would be a better fit than Percy Harvin. Harvin has similiar skills to Crabtree and is not as durable as Lloyd. I also like the acrobatic catches Lloyd is capable of. Either way you go, I think the 49ers bring in a FA WR or two. I’m wondering what they are gonna do with the secondary and defensive line. Defensive line needs depth and the secondary has some guys that need to be outright replaced……Carlos Rogers and Donte Whitner. The Buffalo fans were right about Whitner……he can’t cover tight ends and gives up touchdowns.
lloyd is not a good fit. I don’t want those acrobatic catches. I want a strong reciever than can beat Seattles CB’s off the line, run good routes and score TD’s. Lloyd is not that guy. If Brady can’t make him their deep threat, why would CK?
Harvin is not a big guy either. I doubt a rookie WR would make the impact we need. But the price tag of a Dwayne Bowe or Mike Wallace would be too much. Who else would there be? Hixon from the Giants?
Agreed. Never liked him.
Looks like Culliver keeps making young mistakes with his mouth. Just won’t learn to shut up.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2013/02/culliver-whitner-dont-agree-on-what-went-wrong-on-56-yard-touchdown.html#more
Reminds me of Roger Craig when he publicly blamed Jesse Sapolu for missing the block that led to the fumble and end of three-peat. Never finger point on a team. EVER.
Culliver needs to grow up. We know Whitner is the weak piece of the secondary. He was getting burned but so did Cully, BIG TIME!!
Agreed Bay -bad form.
If the 49ers could find a legit corner in the draft or FA they should:
Get rid of Whitner.
Move Goldson to strong safety.
Move Culliver to free safety.
Alternatively:
Get rid of Whitner.
Move Goldson to FS.
Draft or make a FA acquisition at FS
Exgolfer i would only change your idea a little get rid of goldson [ Ireally like him as a player but he will cost to much] Then you have whitner at one safety and Culliver at the other covering TE”s on passing downs and get our D out of that horrible cover 2.
Old Coach,
You’re right, Goldson will cost too much to play SS, and I think he gives up too many big plays to play FS.
Question 2.. Grant sez :
“…..Teams tend to reflect the personality of their head coach. If Harbaugh could make himself more even-keeled like John Wooden, and less like volatile Bobby Knight, the 49ers would benefit….”
He may seem that way to the press… but, Grant …
do we know for sure he’s that way .. back-stage ?
@MW you have to be kidding Harbaugh is no J. Wooden but he is also not ANYTHING like B. Knight.
My dream: all the great free agents take a pay cut, join this young monster of a team and win. Does this team have that shine to lure players like that? Like 95, with Dent, Deion, Ricky jackson, haley, dole, and others? can we do that again except with younger talent? Win big and make commercials…..therefor getting your money through marketing?….A man can dream right?
Signing big name free agents seems great on paper, but the Niners have been successful mostly thru the draft & signing undervalued free gents on the cheap. The Niners don’t necessarily need impact starters, but depth. They have a number of draft picks to move up & get quality back ups & future starters.
But I would like them to make a run at Revis!
Not so sure that is completely true. Carlos Rogers got burned in the slot and Whitner is a liability in coverage even when both smiths were healthy. Mario Manningham is out with a major injury and not sure when he’ll be able to come back exactly or if he’ll be the same player prior to injury. I think this team needs at least one impact player to get over the hump and some wise FA and draft pick ups.
I think you’re correct.
Also, Harbaugh is still damn good at developing QBs. CK is guaranteed to be better next year if none other than the fact that he’ll learn to get plays off on time.
As I see it, CK & JH could improve a lot by going No-hudle offense in the games. By doing that har copies what Bill Walsh was doing, by setting the first 8-10 plays in every game. Stress the defence and caching them off balance is a good way to secure the upper hand during a game.
When all i said and done around JS I think its about time to look for e replacement for Frank Gore who is over 30, hes is declining in production and we have to have somebody ready to take over, if he gets injured.
speaking of having a normal off-season…
We understand that since the Super Bowl loss Coach Jim Harbaw has not initiated much (any?) communication with his brother, winning Raven’s coach, John. So here is the question: has Jim seen and reconnected with his own son, Jay (Raven’s assistant coach)…?
We are told about Coach Harbaw’s having played golf at Pebble Beach. Of course, that is what losers do in the off season; they work on their golf game. Now, Coach, give us a little insight into those other normal family activities. Then maybe guys like Crab and Kaep will aspire to leave the hotel rooms behind, form lasting relationships, and also have semi-normal off season lives. Ya think?
We are told that Coach Harbaw has not touched a golf club since last year’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament.
Question #1: how does he relax during the rest of the year?
Better question: who is teaching his children how to golf?
Does he just pay somebody to do it for him or…..?
Slow down, Jim, stop and smell the roses.
(Hint: You were leading at the halfway mark and then finished in 13th place. That is comparable to entering the Super Bowl favored to win and then… SPLAT, okay?
Fwiw, the Football Outsiders Awards (as voted on by FO’s readers) have been announced:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/ramblings/2013/2012-football-outsiders-awards
The 49ers did well. Joe Staley was voted offensive lineman of 2012 (Iupati came in 2nd and Boone 12th). Justin Smith finished 2nd (to JJ Watt) in the Defensive MVP voting. Harbaugh won Head Coach of the Year while everyone’s favorite whipping boy, Greg Roman, won Coordinator of the Year. Alex Boone won the Kurt Warner award (lowly drafted or undrafted backup who had his breakout year as a starter), and LaMichael James was voted most likely to break out in 2013. Also, in the category “2012 Playoff Team Most Likely to Miss the 2013 Playoffs,” not a single vote was cast for the 49ers.
Given my belief that FO’s readers tend to be intelligent and well-informed, I take some comfort in those results.
Buttfumble
I thank God every day that I am not a Jets fan. Every single day. And twice on Sundays.
Jack: I know you are a fan of Ben Muth’s offensive line analysis. Part I of his Super Bowl film review is up at FO.
He does a great job of breaking down interior line play, and he is always on the money.
Jack-how do I visit your blog spot again?
@Jack:
Then his appreciation of the 49ers’ offensive line play is all the more gratifying. I probably learn more from his write-ups than anything else I read.
Hightop,
It is ninerchatter.blogspot.com
Business has been requiring a lot of attention over the last couple months so I haven’t updated it as much as I would like, but I am starting to work on a few updates that will be posted in the next day or so.
Thanks-and understood!
1. Need a couple of solid DT’s to backup McDonald and Smith.
2. Need situational pass rusher opposite A Smith.
3. Need several DB’s from draft to either supplant, or push questionable secondary.
4. Need talented veteran WR opposite Crabtree. Harvin, Welker, or Bowe make a ton of sense.
5. Need a backup QB to replace A Smith.
After watching Rogers, Ryan and Flacco torch our secondary during the playoffs my thinking is that speed, youth and talent in the defensive backfield is priority one this offseason. Followed by an additional pass rusher. Those two go hand in hand and its where the 49er’s did not perform up to snuff in the playoffs and its one reason we did not win the Super Bowl. Last year’s D combines with this years offense and Colin Kapernick the 49er;s win the Super bowl easily. Baalke’s task is to resurrect the 49er’s D to 2011 standards.
Sorry for the spell boo boo’s. With the refresh mode you gotta post fast.
Our one big need on offense is supporting CK with another wideout. Preferably in my opinion a big bodied guy with big and great hands that is adroit at snagging the downfield fastballs that CK fires. The guy that comes to my is Keenan Allen from Cal. He reminds me of Crabtree or someone like Chris Carter. Not the fastest guy but good sized and super skilled at getting open and catching the ball. He would be a great addition to this team but alas, I know that D comes first this year. Chris Harper later in the draft might fill that bill.
Ramses Barden might be the guy that the 49ers can afford and would be the missing formula to their WR chemistry.
CK throw’s a big league heater. Its not easy to catch those downfield ball’s he throws. The snag at the hip that Crabtree made against Atlanta comes to mind. That was a skilled catch by Crab and not every NFL Wideout will make that catch every time. Keenan Allen can make that reception in my opinion.
You would have to trade up for him.
Waaaay up. Allen is a candidate to be the first WR off the board. The Browns should sign Alex and draft Allen.
We certainly have the ammo to trade up if Allen fell to the late teens or early twenty’s.
Theres talk now that Cordelle Patterson may be the first wideout taken.
I think Patterson is a better prospect than Allen. I like Allen, though. He reminds me of Crabtree.
Ok so you say we can move up to the mid teens to get him. #15 on the trade chart is 1050 points. We select at the bottom of each of the first three rounds which gives us a total of 996. This means it would take our first three draft picks plus a fourth rounder just to get to the value of the #15 spot. You could augment a pick or two with a player but who? What team in the mid teens needs a player we’re willing to give up?
Unless we’re willing to give up the first two days of the draft for a single player I dont see us getting Allen.
I don’t think there is any chance Allen slips that far anyway unless something comes out we haven’t heard about him in the next 30 days or so.
I misspoke as you said late teens to early twenties. To get to the #20 spot is still a 260 point difference so it’s our first and second or first and third and a couple of fourths. Pretty steep price I think.
Grant Cohn says:
February 12, 2013 at 11:30 am
I think Patterson is a better prospect than Allen.
——————–
Why’s that?
Patterson is faster and more elusive. Allen is a better possession receiver. Allen is a flanker. Patterson is a split end and a running back and a returner. Both are good prospects. Which one do you prefer?
Grant, which other receivers do you like at this early stage of the draft process?
I’m interested to see how Justin Hunter looks at the combine and his pro day. He played ok this past season after injuring his knee in 2011, and he should be better/ healthier in 2012.
There are a few guys that will likely be available in rounds 2 and 3 that look decent too.
Between those two Patterson is more of what the 49ers need but the receiver I prefer for us is Woods. He doesn’t have the height I would like but his speed and ability to track the deep ball have me excited about him.
Hunter seems like he might be more of an athlete then football player and I sure hate spending a high pick on a guy who’s already had knee surgery.
Coffee, don’t forget that the 49ers get a two-position bump-up due to Cleveland and NO forfeiting their 2nd round picks when using the draft value chart. Just an FYI.
Just to clarify, that starts after the 1st round. 49ers pick at #61 instead of #63, #93 instead of #95, #125 instead of #127 and so on. This is for our regular position picks, not the picks they received in trade.
I really like having that #74 49ers got in the 3rd, it’s a pretty good value pick worth 220 pts.
Coffee, I did not say move up to 15, I said LATE teens or early twenty’s. At 21 one the Trade value point difference is 200 points. Our first and mid third from Carolina plus a later pick in return from our trade partner. Just speculation of course. Not feasible unless he falls. Maybe he stubs a toe and runs a slow forty at the combine like T.O. Stranger things have happened in Draft history.
Another thing to take into account is, what if we receive another second day pick for Alex Smith? Free’s our hand even more to move and groove.
A second day pick for Alex is about as likely as Allen falling to the twenties ;)
I agree with you about us receiving a second or third round pick for Alex but darn it, I keeping reading that it is possible. Might not be probable but it is possible and since I am just getting over the disaster from the Super Bowl I am going to emerge myself into all the offseason fun and merriment that I can. As far as Allen is concerned it IS possible that he falls a little. Coming off of a injury injury that ended his season he needs to run well in Indy. We will know more about his status after Indy when the actual GM’s slot him as opposed to the online GM’s.
I hope to God Baalke ignores the bright shiny objects and focuses on defense with this draft. Unless Jerry Rice reincarnated is on the board, forget about receivers in the early rounds and pay some attention to the important things like DLinemen, pass rushers and playmakers in the secondary. And don’t hesitate to use some of the extra picks to trade up for a difference maker.
You can use scheme to compensate for a lack of talent on offense, but you can’t hide it on defense. On defense, you need the talent.
Claude i could’nt agree more
I’d be looking for a conditional pick in the 2014 draft for Alex. So long as he stays injury free, you’d imagine he’ll be a starter wherever he goes, so have a better chance of getting higher value in the 2014 draft using a conditional approach than for this draft.
Either way ur talking about using either our first two our three of our first 5 to get a position that isn’t our biggest need. Doesn’t seem like a Baalke move to me.
Ramses Barden would be a good pick up, would like to see what he could do with the team.
#1 Aquire a shut down corner. [the only proven shut down corner out there is D. Revis]
#2 Aquire thru the draft or FA a situational pass rusher.
#3A and 3B Fangio needs to be less vanilla when dialing up pressures. 3B Fangio needs to stop playing cover 2 and forcing our ILB’s to cover TE’s. If he does that we can release Goldson saving us a lot of money and moving C. Culliver back to safety, his natural position.
#4 Aquire a BU QB. How bout signing V. Young to a non guarenteed contract
#5 Aquire a PK
@old coach:
You keep writing that the defense played “Cover 2.” While Fangio often kept both safeties deep to provide help over the top, the 49ers weren’t playing a “Cover 2″ defense like Tampa, Chicago, etc., at least not that I saw. The CBs usually had man coverage. So did the ILBs – Willis covered the TEs while Bowman covered the RB. While I am sure that Fangio would mix up the coverages, I don’t remember much if any true Cover 2.
Did you see them playing a lot of Cover 2?
C Balls,
You can play cover2 man or zone underneath.
Its a form of cover 2 in that when they play man they leave both safeties deep. They cover in zone but leave coveraging TE”s to ILB’s. I believe Fangio does that because he believes that Willis and Bowman cover better than either Whitner or Goldson whose talents lie in run support and playing CF. I believe that it puts to much pressure and responsibility on Willis and Bowman in pass D. If we had say Culliver covering TE’s we could replace either Bowman or Willis on obvious passing downs both giving them rest and improving our pass coverage.
Alot of cover 2 man under. That might have been the defense they played most often, as least as far as I could tell.
Bray i agree and i just hate it. I want a safety who can cover TE’s and i do’nt think thats either Whitner or Goldson. I like both of their play but their skill sets are the same but Goldson might cost us 8 to 10 mollion a year.
Sorry, when I hear or read “Cover 2,” the speaker/writer always (almost) is referring to the Cover 2 zone defense played by the Bucs and Colts under Dungy, the Bears under Smith, etc. While I understand that there are defenses (like the 49ers) that play man underneath the 2 deep safeties, I am not used to them being referred to as a “Cover 2″ defense. “Cover 2, Man Under” maybe, but not simply “Cover 2″.
Perhaps I need to get out more.
Fangio likes to keep the safeties deep to eliminate the deep ball.
Case in point, the Jacoby Jones TD at the end of the 2nd Quarter. Although it looked like 2 deep/man, Whitner was actually responsible for the #2 receiver leaving Culliver 1-on-1 outside.
Had they been in 2 deep Whitner is sitting right on top of the route to help Culliver.
Somewhere out there .. is there another bad-@$$ .. who can become Justin Smith’s heir apparent ?
Along with what everyone, here, has already posted.. shut-down corner, wide outs, etc. I’m worried about who will take up the slack
should Justin go down again …
Grant… please tell your webmaster to PLEASE remove the
refresh tag…
There really is no need for it here…
Thank you
Some rugged and stout 3-4 D-lineman are needed.
As per my mock in previous heading(would appreciate feedback) Datone Jones And Brandon Williams in the first and second respectively-BOOM!
I’d prefer Margus Hunt or Kawann Short to Datone Jones. I think Jones will be best suited to a 4-3 playing end in the base formation and moving to tackle on passing downs.
Hunt probably wouldn’t contribute a great deal in his first year, but he’s the type of physical freak that with proper technique could be very disruptive as a 3-4 DE.
Doug Farrar rated Datone Jones as the eighth-best prospect in the draft, for what it’s worth.
A another nice addition to this team would be someone that could tackle Russell Wilson. Someone that could actually carch him first and then tackle him. He made our big physical guys look slow and foolish. Im thinking of someone like a Keena Turner or Lee Woodall. Maybe an old fashioned smaller 4-3 type of quick and nifty, agile and fast type of linebacker. We have to play him twice every year and maybe in the playoffs. I hate to think about our tired D trying to tackle him late in the fourth quarter of a future NFC championship game. Something the staff has to consider.
Hopefully A Smith comes back and plays like he did most of the year. I don’t know how bad his shoulder was, but he seemed to be giving up on plays the last 6 games. We need another quick pass rusher on other side to hopefully at least contain Wilson. Definitely need to address cb position also
I still have nightmares of Russell Wilson running around in his backfield against the 49ers making us look like fools.
Wilson brings back memories of Fran tarkenton. Big guys running around chasing him. Completely gassed by 4 th qtr
We should have kept Reggie Smith.
Why? They got a draft pick for a guy who couldn’t even make Carolina’s roster.
I will make my first draft prediction of the year. The 49ers will use their first three picks to either draft or trade for defensive players. [who they will be, i dont know its way to early for mock drafts]
I think this draft is going to greatly depend on if we can trade Alex Smith, whatever we can get for him will help us move up without sacrificing the draft. I like Patterson’s speed, I think he would be a good complement to Crabtree. The question is will he be there for us to move up and select him. Also does the organization feel a receiver is the first need or they go after a DE or CB with their first pick of the draft. Which position do you guys think is the first priority to get? I’m sure they are gonna draft the best player available, but still……which one is more likely where we pick in the draft?
Finding a talented WR or DB with our picks is complete crapshoot.
Signing proven free agents is more expensive but definitely less risky.
Infiltrate Petes’ war room.
AES I agree thats why i think we should use our 1st pick for a sign and trade for D. Revis
Revis’s speed made him elite, are you not concerned he might not be the player he once was?
@DC9er i will trust Baalke and the coaching staffs evaluation
“After all, think of all the times the question has come up about 49ers potential trades over the past few years. Yet, there was only one player on the roster last season the 49ers acquired in a trade: Ted Ginn.
Good teams treat their draft picks like gold. Teams that want to win consistently generally do not hand out big contracts to attract players from other teams.”
I think Maiocco nailed it here. (From his Mailbag blog today.
Jack i agree with you with one caveat. If that one player is the missing ingredient. I think Revis if healthy wins us a SB
how about getting Cromartie from the jets, moving Culliver to Safety (replace Whitner) keep Goldson, draft CB talent?……just thinking of the salary Revis wants makes me cringe.
The odds of the 49ers trading for Revis are about the same as you hitting the MegaLotto tonight.
He is coming off a serious knee injury, his salary is extremely high at about $9mil, and the 49ers currently have only about $1mil in cap space.
A great piece from Peter King detailing the 49ers offense in the SB, and why we should be excited for 2013.
http://m.si.com/1642295/looking-back-at-greg-romans-play-calling-more-mail/
Tell me again why some people were hoping that Roman would receive a head coaching offer and leave? Smh.
Jack thats what i’ve been saying since the super bowl. The O is going to be great now the D thats a whole different story. Do you agree or disagree?
Coach,
While this draft may have a more defensive tone, I don’t expect any major changes on the defensive side other than Goldson possibly not coming back. Many of the picks will again be with more of an eye toward the future.
This is a defense that gave up a total of 6 second half points in the NFCCG and SB, COMBINED. More than anything else they need to identify the cause for the slow starts.
Well my vote on that subject falls directly on Fangio. Any where he has been in the NFL his defense had good to great first years then began to deteriorate soon after. I worry about him.
With the speed on this defense we should play much more aggresively IMO. When we played man [Cover 3 single high S] against NE, we looked unbeatable. I think TB and CC are good in press coverage, but without a consistent pass rush, they’ll get killed.
Now that the O is much more explosive and capable of coming back for 2-3 scores, why didn’t Fangio call plays more aggressively? It goes hand and hand. You play that conservative cover 2 crap when you don’t think you can score quickly enough, you’re forcing teams to matriculate down the field. Force them to force it!
Until Justin Smith’s injury, the defense was playing very well, not quite as good against the run as it was in ’11, but noticeably better against the pass. I am not sure I’d be calling for a lot of changes.
Grant i have’nt been real regular on the blog the last 7 to 10 days so i apologize if i’m asking you something you already answered. Do you believe the 9ers should take a WR in the first 3 RDS?
C Patterson is “the Truth”would love to match him with the other”truth”CK-but alas not to be.J Hunter, Quinton Patton,DaRick Rogers,M Goodin,etc all will be available lots of talent in mid rounds!
which rounds ? 3rd 4th?
2/3/4
Unless there is a run on WR’s we could see Hunter or Patton in 3rd!
I dont see the niners moving up in the first round, unless we get a very good deal for Alex Smith ….something that would lead to a higher pick or be able to bundle what we get for him and move up. I have a feeling the niners will make their move in rounds 2 and 3 their will be plenty of talent there for offense and defense.
Grant… please tell your webmaster to PLEASE remove the
refresh tag…
There really is no need for it here…
Thank you
I would formally like to second this. Uber-annoying.
+1
+2
Sleeper WR we might get in 7th Jasper Collins from Mount Union( my all time fav div 111 program-Larry Kehres is outstanding coach!) keep an eye on this kid small but very talented!
Grant does the refresh tag have anything to do with our recent troll invasion?
By mid season next year [if CK has shown presnap\game management improvement] I would love to see the 9ers go no huddle. I think this team could avg high 40′s in pts scored if we went no huddle. We would really need to improve the D because they would be on the field a whole lot more.
Any thoughts on the 49ers offering V. Young a non guarenteed FA minimum deal. I mean Harbaugh is the QB whisperer. I never thought he could get out of Alex Smith what he did and just think of what we would have if he could turn around V. Youngs career not just a great BU but the future trade value.
Vince Young? Are you smoking whacky tobaccy today Coach?
I know Harbaugh worked wonders with Smith, but did you actually see V Young the last time he played? YIKES!
Jack i do’nt remember his physical performance just that he was a emotional mess. That being said what could it hurt to invite him to a mini camp. We need a very specific skill set in our BU QB and there is such a high probability of needing our #2 next year. For the sake of arguement lets say Smith does’nt come back next yr who do you see out there that could replace CK for anywhere between 2 games and the whole season?
Jack,
it doesn’t hurt to bring him in. I am a firm believer in second chances. His last full stint he was near a 100 QBR and he had the best deep ball percentage in the league.
If Harbaugh can work out a zero tolerance deal with him I don’t see an issue with it. VY is a beast.
There is no need to try to duplicate CK in the back up QB. The coaches demonstrated how easily they can adapt their game plans. Heck, last preseason they ran their basic style with Smith, the shotgun stuff with CK, then back to basics with ST and JJ.
They don’t need a project as the back up. They need a solid guy who can step in and keep the train rolling.
Almost as funny as the guy that said we should have kept Reggie smith
oh god…not vince young
Jim Harbaw…. ” QB whisperer “…. …..
Just take a look in his eyes during a news conference
The slack-jawed stare tells us one thing:
“someone” is whispering to Jim….
The man is surely hearing voices
The professionals call it auditory hallucinations.
loser….. loser…. loser…. loser …. loser
Those voices will not go away until the (early) end of his career.
Not even then….. no Super Bowl ring (repeat and fade)
You know for a Superbowl team, this team has a lot of weak areas that need improvement — too many to address them all in fact.
But the future strength of this team is going to be Kaepernick’s arm, which to me is why the 49ers should make having two stud receivers a top priority. I’d really like to get Jennings or Bowe to complement Crabtree.
Let’s not overpay Sopoaga, Walker, Goldson, or any of these other free agents. None of them is irreplaceable, and I really don’t get people’s love for Walker who is short and can’t catch. At this age, he’s going to lose his speed anyway.