The 49ers will face Percy Harvin at least two times next season. Can they match up with him?
They couldn’t last season when he was on the Vikings. Harvin caught nine passes for 89 yards and he ran once for nine yards. A couple of his catches were screens and a couple were swing passes out of the backfield.
I want to show you three plays in which Harvin beat the 49ers’ cornerbacks on routes past the line of scrimmage.
4:43 1st quarter, second and ten at the Minnesota 20 yard line
The Vikings line up in 11 personnel – one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers. Harvin is the slot receiver on the left side, the weak side of the formation. He’s lined up against Carlos Rogers.
Ponder is under center and before he calls hike, Donte Whitner runs toward the line of scrimmage to be the eighth man in the box, and Dashon Goldson slides to the center of the field to play single-high coverage. Ponder audibles, turning and yelling and gesturing to Harvin.
Ponder calls hike. Harvin takes three steps to the inside and then cuts back to the outside, juking Rogers. Ponder drops five step, hitches and floats a pass over Harvin’s shoulder. Gain of 24. Easy.
Once Rogers got beat, which was right away, he wasn’t fast enough to catch up to Harvin. Goldson was 15 yards away when Harvin caught the ball.
8:10 4th quarter, first and ten at the Minnesota 25 yard line
The Vikes line up in 12 personnel – Adrian Peterson alone in the backfield, two tight ends on the offense’s left side and two wide receivers on their right side. Harvin is one of the receivers. He’s in the slot.
Tarell Brown runs across the field to match up with Harvin. The ball is snapped. Ponder play fakes to Adrian Peterson, who’s running around the left end behind the tight ends. Ponder boots back the right.
Meanwhile, Harvin is wide open. He had run to the inside, stopped on a dime and sprinted back outside, faking out Brown. Ponder throws to the wide open receiver and misses low and away. Incomplete.
3:49 4th quarter, third and five at the San Francisco’s 49 yard line
The Vikes line up in 11 personnel, but this time Harvin is not in the slot. He’s the weakside X receiver. The tight end, slot and flanker all are on the offense’s right side.
Again, he faces Brown. This time Brown shows press coverage. Ponder audibles, motioning to Harvin. Then he calls hike.
Brown does not press. He bails, expecting Harvin to run deep. But Harvin runs a quick slant to the inside and gains fourteen.
What do you think, can the 49ers match up with Harvin or can’t they?
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The 49ers will sweep the Seahawks next year.
Wow you really do live in crazy town. Seahawks will thump 49ers again on primetime next year.
Both of you are just blowing hot wind.
Talk is just that….Talk
Everybody we’ll see how both Teams matchup this season so until then your Postings mean absolutely Zip.
The Seattle game last year was a complete aberration. Niners had to fly to New England and play the hottest team in Football, then go back to Seattle and play in the freezing rain in a very hard venue against an almost equally hot team at the time.
The score was not indicative of the talent level of the two teams.
Kaepernick will destroy the Seahawks next year.
Folsom,
I believe the Seahawks were the beneficiaries of a magical season, last year. I’m not saying they’re not a good team, they are. But I do believe they will somewhat regress to the mean, next year.
I also believe the 49ers will be improved next year. CK will be better, the O line will bet better, the receiving corps will be better [the addition of Boldin, Crabtree's continuing development, the possible emergence of Jenkins and overall improved rapport btwn CK and the receivers], and the Smith’s will be healthy [at least to start the season].
All this bodes well for the 49ers chances next season, in general, and in their two games with Seattle, in particular.
Do I know the 49ers are going to sweep? Of course, not. Having said that, a 49er sweep is pretty clearly the most likely outcome of their matchup next year [IMO].
The guy probably will be at home with a headache!
Draft the Honey Badger to counter Harvin. If the Rams draft Tavon Austin The Honey Badger would match up with him also.
Honey Badger has the recovery speed to cover Harvin. He has the football instincts. The kid would ball for the 49ers and checkmate Seattle and their costly new toy.
We have to play Seattle twice in the regular season and probably during the playoffs if not the NFC championship game. They probably represent the biggest obstacle to the 49ers returning to the super bowl. The time is now to plan and strategize on how to counter them and beat them.
The Honey Badger makes so much sense for the 49ers when you think we will face Harvin two or maybe three times next year that its not funny. I don’t think we have anyone on our roster who matches up with Harvin.
Problem is the honey badger cant cover. He is a good returner and makes plays but he is not good in coverage
The problem that the Honey Badger had in coverage was technique based and his desire to make the big play which caused him to over bite and resulted in being out of position. It was not because of lack of talent, ability, agility, foot quickness, explosion and capacity to flip his hips. His talent in these departments are probably as good as anyones in this draft. In these area he is a first round talent.
What he needs is to be coached up, like most rookies, improve his technique and above all else learn the disciple to play in the NFL. The talent is there to be an outstanding NFL D-back.
Mathieu is just a flat out football player. A stat that I find amazing-The Hone Badger led LSU in total tackles in 2011 with 71. Thats LSU as in the Louisiana State University Tigers! A team whose defense bulges with first round talent and the little corner leads the team in tackles. Yes, he wont be asked to lead his pro team in tackles and his success will be based on his ability to cover WR’s and return kicks but leading one of the best if not the best defense in college when you are a 5ft 9in corner speaks to a players innate ability to play the game.
Mathieu is a good return man, not that good in coverage. You guys are on crack.
Can we please put this BS to bed that the Honey Badger can’t cover:
The website Pro Football Focus has specific slot cornerback stats, cover snaps per target, yards per cover snap and cover snaps per reception. Compared to 2012 NFL slot corners, Mathieu would rank tied for first in cover snaps per reception with 15.2, second in yards per cover snaps with .76 and third in cover snaps per target with 7.5. His 50.1 NFL quarterback rating and 49-percent catch rate would rate him second among slot cornerbacks.
Now either you have not watched the tape of this kid or you enjoy talking out of your “crack”.
They were on it with the honey badger as he chose that over playing football at LSU.
Drafting the Honey Badger was the first thing that came to my mind also.
The entire team was flat that day. Was Harvins success the cause of the defense playing poorly a result of it?
*edit*
The entire team was flat that day. Was Harvin’s success the cause of the defense playing poorly OR a result of it?
Harvin is a very good player so he’s likely to have some success regardless of what you do. To limit his effectiveness ideally you can disrupt him off the line, but easier said than done. Minnesota rarely lined him up where a DB could jam him, and I doubt the Seahawks will either. Harvin isn’t great as on outside WR, he is better used on the move, in the slot or out of the backfield.
When he’s on the move he’s difficult to match up against. He’ll use his speed to get separation from his DB before the snap. If you are playing man against him, obviously the CB needs to have the speed to match him. Rogers had trouble with this last season against him.
Matching up against him in the slot you’d like a physical CB with some agility and quickness. 49ers don’t have a guy like that on the roster. I can see the attraction of a guy like Mathieu for that role, but others like Jamar Taylor, BW Webb, Leon McFadden etc are also possibilities.
Being able to line up in the backfield means the CB also needs to have the strength to hold up in the run game as well as the speed/ agility to track him out of the backfield. Basically, he’s a match-up problem, which is exactly why the Seahawks got him.
49ers don’t currently have a CB that matches up well with Harvin. Ideally you’d have a safety that can also come down and help cover him.
What did Detroit , Arizona and Seattle do that worked because he had quiet games against those teams before getting hurt last season. Detroit has a terrible secondary so how were they able to contain him? Teams that have to face him will watch those tapes and find out what works.
You also have to factor in that Harvin has a much stronger armed QB throwing to him now. He may be used as a downfield threat more often.
9 recptions for 89 yards is a BIG game! I would agree Percy had a good game but its not like he smoke the niners all by himself!!! Just in general Niners were very flat that game and the defense and offense just looked comatose! This team will show up to play against the Seahawks and the Rams.
I am a fan of Percy however 49ers can contain him! We need to hit him hard everytime he catches the ball so he gets a headache and checks out for the next several games! GO NINERS
Whitner is a man….he will do it!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah Whitner will hit him after he gets beat on the play. Whitner sucks I don’t know why he hasn’t been cut already.
Obviously 9 catches is a big day and too many. But, that’s less than 10 yards a catch. Remove the 24 yarder and the yards per catch goes down quite a bit, so the Niners were at least keeping him in front of them.
Don’t forget that before burning the Niners as a Seahawk, he’ll have to remain healthy. Something he has had trouble doing.
Shane lechler signs 3 year deal with houston. The Raiders just lost half of their probowlers, lol
I’m hoping we do some draft trades with the Raiduhs for 2014, that way we have some higher up picks cause that team is going no where this coming season.
detroit had a enormous past rush, seattle had the best secondary with a good past rush, arizona had equal amounts of both is the reason. The niners offense next year I feel will keep seattle offense off the field. But the defense will have too be more than containing, one that hopefully becomes more aggressive against them unlike last year!
The Lions had two sacks in that game. The 21st ranked Cardinals defense with the 28th ranked pass defense is equal parts pass rush and coverage?
You make very general statements two of which aren’t very accurate. How about breaking down what those defenses did to specifically limit Harvin?
I was thinking Tavon Austin at #31 to duplicate Harvin’s skills, and gamble the #93 pick on Honey Badger to counter Harvin. A nice check-mate to Seattle that still leaves picks 34, 64 and 71 for Safety/D-line.
I’d know for sure if I was familiar with Honey Badger’s off field issues. He might not be the type of player Harbaugh/Baalke drafts, but on video he looks perfect for covering/tackling shifty hybrid slotWR/RB guys like Harvin and Amendola.
Unfortunately it’s looking more like Tavon won’t fall close to #31. Honey Badger is also creating more buzz and might be gone by #93. I would hesitate to gamble any of the higher picks on him.
As the previous person said, a running games keeps Seattle’s now speedy offense off the field. The 49ers need to look for a powerful “every down back” to someday replace Gore. LMJ, Hunter and Dixon telegraph certain types of runs to the defense. The Gore of old could hit it outside and inside. Now he telegraphs (inside) runs too.
A non-specialist running back is key to taking advantage of all that draft capital invested in the O-line.
Here’s a bit from Wikipedia on his off-field issues:
“On August 10, 2012, LSU coach Les Miles announced that Mathieu would be dismissed from the football team due to a violation of team rules. News outlets reported that the dismissal was a result of repeated drug test failures, although Miles did not confirm those reports.[10] Mathieu has expressed an interest in returning to the program for the 2013 season.[11] On August 17, 2012, Mathieu withdrew from LSU and entered a drug rehabilitation program in Houston, Texas.[3] Mathieu’s withdrawal was expected to last for the entire 2012-2013 academic year. However, on September 4, 2012, Mathieu ended his withdrawal and enrolled for fall semester classes. On October 25, 2012, Mathieu and three other LSU former players were arrested on possession of marijuana.[2]”
The issues are drug related, it seems…except for the additional consideration that clearly he’s not smart or disciplined enough to realize that his little forays into the world of pot could cost him LITERALLY millions of dollars. He may be one hell of a football player, but he appears to be pretty confused and unfocused to me.
PP has been mentoring him. He’ll be fine.
pick#31-DL-Williams or Short
pick#34-Safety-Reid or Elam
pick#64-TE-escorbar or kelce
pick#71-CB-Taylor or Webb
pick#93-WR-Hunter 0r D. Rodgers
Nice!
#31 – DE- Datone Jones
#34 – S- Cyprien or Reid
#61 – CB- Jamar Taylor
#74- NT- Brandon Williams
#93- CB- Tyrann Mathieu
Comp: #131 RB- Marcus Lattimore- IR for 2013
#227- BPA- S- Duke Williams, NT- R. Geathers, CB S. Williams
#237- BPA- WR Denard Robinson, QB- Sean Renfree, QB/TE Gray
Comp: #246 WR: Charles Johnson,
Comp: #252 QB: Colby Cameron
Trade my 4th, 5th and 6th round picks for 2014 picks: ulitmate goal in 2014 trade up for Jadaveon Clowney!
My 2013 2nd/3rd string TE: Tim Tebow
Forgot to mention if the niners trade their 4 picks from rounds 4 to 6 this year for 2014 picks. Essentially they can trade all their picks next year 1-7 and Chiefs pick that would be 12 picks for Jadaveon Clowney.
I can hear people screaming:”NO PICKS for 2014!!!”
Compensatory picks for 2014: Goldson, Soap, RJF, Ginn, and Walker so far (hoping Moss and Akers get’s picked up)
Niners FA picked up: Skuta, Dahl, Moore and Dorsey don’t see them taking as many snaps as the former 49ers mentioned above and not sure Moore will make it out of TC.
I’m estimating 4 compensatory picks for 2014.
Jadaveon Clowney is not a just a pipe dream…or he’s a realistic pipe dream…
I would love this draft, it addresses key needs and really improves the overall speed of the defense.
I would expect some moves to be made which will give us 2 number ones for next year. I dont see us standing pat this year but those movements are way to hard to predict.
Clowney has had one real highlight. I don’t see us trading all of our picks for one guy. That would be futile. NO ON TIM TEBOW!! we don’t need that side show here.
The draft is the way to stay ahead of the game. We were at our worst under Scott Mcclueless. He had some good picks but the Alex smith pick and the lack of good coaching, hurt this team.
You draft well, sign key free agents. Free agents are essentially other teams castaways or expensive/unsignable players. They are like garnishment, not meant to be the main course. That’s why you try to draft well and keep your own players. Even if you do that, your good players will need to get paid one day. At that point, you can’t keep them all. You’ll need to trade some of them for future commodities.
If we draft the honey badger those days will come to an end
Niners should keep pick their top 5 picks and 3 compensatories. Trade the remaining 7 picks for picks in next years draft.
Trade majority of their picks next year for Jadeveon Clowney.
With Clowney and Smith we won’t need to cover Harvin if we get to Russell Wilson first.
Their Q.B. beat the 9ers with his legs, the did pretty well containing Harvin other than a few 3rd down conversions.
I’m more worried about our lack of ability to adjust our defense to other teams offenses. We don’t make great half time adjustments or scout ourselves as well.
When you have a scrambling Qb, you need to have rush lane integrity. You also want to throw in a blitz (zone blitz) to confuse the O line and QB. Your blitzers need to have body control, not to bite on pump fakes or juking. Fundamentals are key.
Percy Harvin will be a bust in Seattle. The crowd noise will give him the mother of all headaches and his doping — I mean have you ever been in that depressing wet city? — will be on full blast. Their QB had a good year last year… but that’s it. One hit wonder. I’d worry more about the Rams.
Don’t forget the second game against Seattle was without Smith rushing the passer who is our heart and soul of the defense. CK had only played in just a handful of games in the NFL. Look for a much different game in the future since both teams will be quite different moving forward. SF’s draft will make the biggest difference in a positive or negative way. We really need some athletic big men up front.
I’m excited to see if Glen Dorsey makes a difference as the NT. I felt like we were weak up the middle. We could definitely improve there, and also at Corner and Safety. I’m not as concerned about WR, with getting the trade and having Davis and Crabtree. We can also use our running backs in the slot to make up the difference.
Defense will make or break us.
also coming off a 90 plus snap game from our defense against the Patriots which was also on the road in a bad weather atmosphere
Boy, sounds like the 9ers are in rebuild mode reading some of these gloom and doom comments. Thought I was on the Seahawks blog for minute.
Harvin represents one kind of weapon in the league that causes match-up problems for every team. The little dude in GB, D.Sproules, etc. The Niners are stout against the run usually, so opposing OCs look for something to loosen up the D. The Niners need DBs who can cover those guys. Tyrann is not the only guy coming out who can help. In fact there are others who cover better. Tyrann is a playmaker and his return skills make him ‘value added’ but he’s hardly a messiah. We’re talking about him as if he’s P.Peterson; he’s not. I’d be glad to have him but we’ve got some serious love affairs for him on here. Clowney too; its like The Bachelor.
When I buy a house or a car I try not to fall in love with just one; you lose perspective and tend to overpay. If I do fall in love with one I do my best poker face and try not to let the seller know!
Hey Brotha , who is the better slot cover corner you’re referring to?
???
@Razor
I think Tyrann can be a good slot corner. My thought is there are other candidates that are even better in coverage. There’s more to the position than that like run support, offside pursuit, tackling after catch, contesting the pass, etc. TM can do most of that ( height limitation).
He has short area quickness, but he played over confidently in college. Made plays but gambled some. Some other prospects also have good feet but are more dedicated to their fundamentals and micro-positioning. TM is a good athlete but he needs to be a better tactician.
OK, so Trufant covers better in a small space, but he’ll be long gone and will probably play outside because he has those tools too. But consider Slay, Poyer, McFadden, Taylor, Alford, Wreh-Wilson. There are going to be some guys in Rds 6-7 who can be decent slot corners too; I don’t know who they are; that’s Trent’s job.
Brotha, you might be surprised that Trufant may indeed be there at pick 31…..
Ha! I’d jump on that if Trufant was there at 31. I meant long gone in the discussion of Tyrann who I think will go in the 3rd. Shoot, even if they took Trufant at 31, I’d still consider a slot corner at 94; the right one. My current guess is Tyrann goes around 75.
I like Trufant who ran a blazing 3.85 in the short shuttle at the combine. That speaks highly of his foot quickness.
Clowney is not only a freak athletically, but has the stats and accolades to back it up.
Don’t think everyone finished reading the rest of my post. They can trade a bunch of picks next year and have a great chance of having an abundance of untradeable Compensatory picks.
If 49ers trade either 31 or 34 for a 1st next year, they probably wouldn’t need to trade all of their 2014 picks for #1. Teams picking first are generally looking for as many high picks as possible to add quality throughout the team. 49ers would hold 2 1sts, a 2nd and 2 3rds (possibly 2 2nds and 1 3rd depending on if Smith meets his conditional pick goals). That’s a lot of draft collateral to move up to #1 next year, if they desired.
True,
My point was that they could conceivably trade all their picks and still have picks with compensatory selections.
Basically I’m pointing out the silver lining of losing free agents= compensatory selections
All of those plays came from Ponder throwing from the pocket. Wilson can’t throw those same passes. He has to move outside of the pocket to see down the field. I don’t think Percy Harvin will be as big of a threat against SF as what was made out to be above.
He’s definitely a legitimate threat, but not in anything other than quick slants and missed tackles. SF does a pretty good job of keeping the play in front of them on those.
In that game Aldon smith and brooks almost sacked him 6 times and Wilson just nuked away with eaz and made big throws so now they have Percy harvin big game plays but lets remember this Aldon and smith with be healthy so we just need a BIG press cover corner on him Peterson played on harvin for the cardinals and shut him down that’s what we need and a collective team effort until then I think we got three of the best teams in the NFL next year will be a brutal battle there tires out all three teams
run onsssssssssss, sodificulttounderstandyou
Lol…anyone with 420 in their handle is probably too stoned to use punctuation.
Percy harvin is a part time player, heis very injury pron and suffers from migrane headachs plus he has an attitude problem…..why do think the vikings did not try and keep him…, it had nothing to do with the salary cap. Plus Seasttle paid way too much for him according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN. Who would you rather have Harvin or Bolden, not even close, Bolden is bigger ,stonger, and has the big third down capability. Seattle is a small market area that nobody really cares about. They have a head coach who should be in jail for what he did at UCS and a GM who the 49ers let go who should also in jail. Why? because their GM Scott Mclluen was writing checks from the 49er’s bank account into his own personal account to pay for attorney fees etc. pertaining to his divorce. The 49er’s found out and fired him but did not press charges….in fairness to McLluen he did pay the money back. Character issues?? The 49ers are a much more talented team than Seatle, Kapernick is bigger stronger, faster and has a much stronger arm than Wilson….that does not quarantee that the 49ers will win the NFC est but they are the better team!
Joe,
Harvin is better than Bolden. Younger faster, more dynamic. As far as talent is concerned, one could say that Seattle is identical to us except younger. We might have a better O line and QB, but their secondary and Dline arguably is better.
The draft is essentially our free agency. Young talent with limited salary ramifications especially after they capped rookie contracts. No more 50 million dollar rookie signing bonuses.
Our team needs to be more enginuative next year to make it work.
I’m not so sure about the assumption that Harvin is better. He’s good no doubt, but has never broke 1000 yards in a season, averages only about 10 starts a year, has made the Pro Bowl only once as an alternate KR and has displayed an attitude problem beginning in HS and all the way through to the NFL. Testing positive for weed at the combine indicates he’s no rocket scientist.
Boldin on the other hand is a born leader, 3x Pro-Bowler, 1000 yard guy, and was probably the MVP in the last SB. In believe if he was on our side we win that game going away. Dude was money!
I’d take Boldin at $6M and a #6 vs. Harvin at $11M and a #1. The NFL is a business and value matters.That extra $5M is money they can’t spend on other needs. Harvin had better be a All Pro and lead them to a SB to justify that contract/trade.
Of course we will see next year who played their cards right.
Value wise, I agree that Boldin for a 6th is way better than Harvin for a 1st and 3rd next year. He is a problem but Pete Carrol knows how to deal with those guys. They also have key veterans to keep him in check there.
Big P,
Seattle has put themselves in a precarious situation. By signing big contract type players, they will need to win it all now. If they fail, they have charted their course for bankrupting their future.
Pete Carroll will eventually find a way to ‘hurt’ the team, it happened in New England, USC, and soon it will happen in Seattle. Carroll has not learned how to get out of the way of his own success.
AES,
I’m flattered that you missed me so much that you misread somebody else’s handle and thought of me. You should know that I wouldn’t poison the blog with a post like that brotha!
@ Big P
If that was a cheap shot at me, it only reflects it’s shooter. I don’t criticize people’s blogs here nor do I insult people’s opinions. I just come here to chat and express myself. I have never been a poison to this blog but only add to it. Oh, and just because he confused the word” BIG” between us, doesn’t put us on the same level. Grow up, this is an adult’s blog.
Big Niner,
It was a joke because it had a pro-Seahawk vibe to it. Don’t be so sensitive.
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1232469.1357246254!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/shutterstock-baby-crying.jpg
i disagree that harvin is a better Wr than boldin.!!!! you people are buying in on potential only and not on the field facts or stats!!! boldin has been a top tier guy in the n.f.l for over a DECADE! been to 2 superbowls! won one. preformed well in those games and in the playoffs. more years in the playoffs than harvin has in the league. stonger, smarter. a leader, a good locker room guy. percy harvin may have the brighter future ’cause he is younger. harvin also has the potential to be a cancer in the locker room, throw his Qb under the buss to the media. whine, cry, pout about everything. force his way out of a city and never play 16 games in a season. all things he has done. in 3 years boldin will be retired and harvin will be out of seattle , so the one upside going for harvin is irrelevant. boldin is a better person and player. he has acomplished more than harvin likely ever will
Some experts thinks he’s one of the most dynamic players in the NFl. He can line up in the slot, outside and in the back field. We don’t have a guy like him. Boldin is strictly a slot guy at this point in his career. Your argument is like those who wanted to keep Jerry Rice instead of Terrel owens. It was obvious who was the best player at that point. Locker room chemistry is over rated in football, where there are so many players. In basketball and baseball, I would agree but football no. Plus, what does he have to cry about. He got paid and is with a winning team with an upcoming QB that’ll get him the ball unlike Minnesota. Boldin fits us more with our needs but Harvin is the better player. Saying anything else would be wrong.
We don’t judge a player on his career numbers or prior probowls. This league is about the ” now”, what have you done for me lately. not “HE was a pro bowler”. Just my opinion.
Better Receiver: Boldin
Better overall player/talent: Harvin, because he can line up in the backfield and return kicks/punts.
Pete Carrol wasn’t a bad defensive coordinator for SF when he was here…
Yep the Niners stand no chance against Seattle. They should just not show up to even play the games.
Did we go to the Super Bowl last year or finish with a below 500 record? There is so much negativity on this web site.
Harvin is a quality player, no he is not unstoppable. He will make plays, but you can limit the slants by dropping one of the middle LB’s into the passing lane. Otherwise it is pressure on the QB and disrupting his timing and passing lanes.
That’s not what I’m saying. We had problems with them last year, even in the game we won when we were healthy. They’ve added some key players this off season that will make it more difficult for us. We need to be able to counter their moves.
Agreed Big niner.
Seattle will be a worthy opponent based on our games against them last year.
I still believe that the blow-out game in Seattle was a glitch. We are not as bad as we looked against them that night.
This was our first game without Justin Smith, and Aldon was playing hurt. Plus, the team came out completely flat after a big win against the Patriots in NE.
While the c-hawks may have some bragging right because of their blow-out win against us, the Rams actually fared better by winning once and tying us in the same season.
The Bucs are shopping Eric Wright, how does he grade out on PFF?
They’ve given him a negative grade the last three seasons.
OK thx!
The Vikes simply used the same blue-print that the Giants found success with in the 2011 championship game. Use a quick type WR (V.Cruz) to exploit the middle of the field.
That is a blue-print that seemed to be the 49ers achilles-heel in many of their games throughout the season. My only conclusion is that the issue is a personnel problem rather than D-cord problem.
The 49ers will continue to have this issue against their biggest nemesis now that Harvin is with the c-hawks. The c-hawks will exploit the 49ers ‘D’ until some changes are made in personnel.
CR can no longer cover the quick twitch type WR’. And T.Brown is only marginally better.
We will draft DB’ who have the quickness to take away the short to intermediate passing lanes created by these type WR’s. Goldson and Whitner were very good at delivering crushing hits but their cover techniques were lacking.
Some of the Safety players coming into the draft seem to show much of the tendencies that Whitner and Goldson have; hard tackling but soft pass coverage. I hope we can find players who have the speed and skill level to cover and tackle.
I trust Baalke and Harbaugh to fill every need that the team has going into this draft.
Exciting times just ahead!
Grant, thanks for this post. I really like that you blog about real probable football situations.
The 49ers not only had trouble covering Harvin but many receivers like him when we didn’t prepare properly. Victor Cruz had similar success when the Giants came to the Bay Area. Cruz rarely was put in a situation where he could get jammed at the LOS. We seemed as if we adjusted when we played the Patriots. However, it seemed during that game the 49ers were focused and up for the challenge and seemed to prepare very well (players and coaches).
IMHO, the 49ers overlooked the Vikings a bit and didn’t prepare. I thought the first Seattle game, the 49ers should have lost and the Seahawks certainly had their opportunities to win. I can’t see them overlooking Seattle this time and the schedule certainly is MUCH more favorable. Traditionally more difficult opponents play the 49ers at home (Packers, Texans, Falcons, Colts). The only challenging away games I see are the Saints and Redskins. As long as the 49ers don’t play the either of those teams with a game in Seattle right after, they should be okay with the Seahwks and Harvin.
So, I’ve been talking about this for a couple of years now and thought to bring it up again.
Patrick Willis $10 million
Navaro bowman $10 million
Vernon Davis $10 million
Crabtree soon to be paid
CK soon to be paid
Aldon soon to be paid
Iupati soon to be paid
A davis soon to be paid
Brooks 6-7 million
Carlos rodgers 7-8 million
can we afford 10 million dollar guys especially our LB’s? and Aldon’s contract?
Is VD worth 10 million?
So, out of these core players who would you trade in their prime? I suspect we’d ask for first round picks from the team taking them. What teams would you trade them to?
I’ll start. I’d trade Navarro bowman to the Bears for a first and second. The reason is because we have PW and Aldon is going to need to get paid and pass rushers come at a premium.
Vernon davis for a 1st round pick also would be my second player.
What do you think?
Big Niner,
These are the actual cap hits for 2013 and beyond. The rookie salary cap has changed the way teams do business. The days of #1 overall picks getting ridiculous contracts and the cap hits associated with them are over. That is why the way the Niners are looked at with envy for having so many draft picks, Baalke and Maraathe were ahead of the curve. There will always be some tough decisions to make with regards to keeping players, but the Niners have done a great job of navigating the cap and structuring contracts with an eye towards the future. Vernon Davis is easily worth his salary, he is the most dangerous player on the team and would put up bigger numbers if he wasn’t consistently double teamed. I would be shocked if Carlos Rogers wasn’t asked to restructure after this year. His base salary is too high for his production and the FA market for CB’s (and most other players it seems) has taken a nose dive.
Patrick Willis 2013 cap hit: $3,605,125, 2014: $6,488,125, 2015: $6,488,125
Navaro bowman 2013 cap hit: $3,105,562, 2014: $7,050,000, 2015: $7,750,000, 2016: $8,900,000 (last year with prorated signing bonus $)
Vernon Davis 2013 cap hit: $8,739,917, 2014: $7,367,917, 2015: $7,017,917
Ahmad Brooks 2013 cap hit: $5,050,000, 2014: $7,500,000, 2015: $8,350,000, 2016: $8,850,000 (last year with prorated signing bonus $)
Carlos Rogers 2013 cap hit: $7,344,351, 2014: $8,094,351, 2015: $9,094,351
Thanks. I just wonder why we’re so strapped then. it seems like we’re close to the salary cap limit and the trade of AS was the only reason we got under. In your opinion, what happens to our team when Ck gets paid?
Big niner,
They will have to adjust, which is oversimplifying it because I know what you are saying. I think a big part of it is the way the free agent market has completely dropped out. Because of the rookie salary cap, teams are placing a much greater emphasis on the draft. As a result of that, veteran FA’s are having a very rough go at it. That should help with the cap because the market for veterans just isn’t what it was before, and that can add up to big savings across the roster. I think this situation will only become more magnified for veterans as teams adjust to building a team with the rookie salary scale.
Side note: I was just joking about the Big niner/Big P screen name thing earlier. I was laughing because I hadn’t posted on this topic, but I didn’t mean to offend you. We always have had great conversation and I look forward to continuing that. I could have worded it better.
Lol.
http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/15789524/2/stock-photo-15789524-extending-an-olive-branch.jpg
Big p
no offense taken. Man I’m missing football pretty bad to the point where I downloaded an app called big win football just to play, lol well kind of…..
AWWWWWW you guys.
But seriously have u noticed the improved atmosphere/decorum on here since the end of the season. aside from the occasional razor vs CFC spat there are no insults, no one is questioning anyone elses fan hood. Amazing that one player (il let u guess who for fear that even mentioning his name would descend this blog back in to chaos) caused soo much hate to be stirred up.
Kudos to everyone for keeping it football even when we disagree
If you think Razor and I were the problem you either are relatively new here or haven’t been paying all that close attention either that or don’t be specific next time unless you’re willing to name everyone.
Easy CFC
I never said u were a problem. I just said that over the last month or two the only argument i saw where things got a little heated and where insults flew was when u and Razor had a few exchanges. Compare that to 4 moths ago where daily there were battles between factions that often resulted in insults, and in a few posters cases banishment from the blog, this is a welcome change. DEEP BREATH
I wouldn’t trade any players unless they become headcases or people are offering a bunch of high picks (highly unlikely).
Let players walk if they insist on getting overpaid. We’ll get compensated with compensatory picks.
Keep the pass rushers and Kaepernick.
The 2014 draft should be an even better year than this year (4th, 2-7th’s) in terms of compensatory picks. I think compensation is determined by the amount of snaps that former players (Soap, RJF, Goldson, Walker, Ginn) play, also factoring in the snaps our FA agents (Dahl, Skuta, Moore, Dorsey and Dawson so far. Let’s hope Moss and Akers get picked up as well.
Salary is also a big factor. Goldson, Sopoaga, RJF, and Walker all signed pretty decent sized deals, much bigger than what the 49ers have replaced them with. Goldson should net a 3rd next year.
If Akers gets picked up 49ers won’t get a compensatory pick for him – they cut him.
Cowboy had been getting 10 mil a year and his contract will be up soon. While he wont play for peanuts, this years FA market has shown that 32 yr+ D lineman arnt breaking the bank so its reasonable to expect him to come back for a fraction of his salary. Also i see players being asked to restructure their contracts (CR for one) .
IMO Crab will try to get the last penny out of us so he will most likely be gone
Donald Driver ranked our receiving corps #3 behind Green Bay and Atlanta and ahead of the Patriots and Denver. Seattle wasn’t mentioned in his top 5 and I would agree I don’t think they have a #1 receiver we have 2 plus Vernon. If AJ comes around and with our running game we will be able to afford a middle of the pack D. I am not saying we don’t need help but we are a few pieces away it’s not the end the world here. For years our D carried us while our Offense was terrible that’s changing our Offense is going to carry this team now.
I like DD but he is a bit off base here IMO. We have 2 healthy receivers under contract (unless u count joe hastings and im not quite ready to do so yet) Crab and Boldin. While im optimistic for AJJ development his rookie year did nothing to inspire confidence that he wil be great. Decker Thomas and welker are a more dangerous group than ours. so is the group in NO. So is Cruz, Nicks hixon/randle. so is DJackson Macklin Avant. Pats have no WR besides amendola so thats accurate.
In any case i think this is a moot argument because we dont really rely on our WR all that much. We didnt run 3 WR sets often last year even when we had RM KW and MM. Thats like having the best FB in the league for a team that runs primarily a single back set
@bigniner Bowman yes but for more maybe a 1st this yr and a 2nd and 3rd next yr. I say yes to Bowman because Larry Grant can move right in and do a solid job. No to Davis we do’nt have any one to step in. If we draft a TE who works out maybe Davis next yr. What is really scary is if CK continues to improve we will have to give him better than Flacco money and we might have to cut 4 or 5 outstanding players to sign him. Thats why which QB we pick in this yrs draft is a huge decision..
Even if we draft a QB, CK is our future period. Qb’s aren’t traded, at least not young franchise type Qb’s. If we wait on VD, he’ll be close to 30 and many teams won’t want to give up high picks for TE’s that make that much money and are close to 30. My thoughts are similar to Walsh’s except with the salary cap these days, I’d trade a player 6-7 years into their careers, essentially at his peak. Walsh would wait till their last few years to trade them or Plan B them, like Lott, Craig and rathman.
The Qb postion is so hard to fill and it makes or breaks a franchise. Colin is untouchable.
Bigniner it will be very interesting to watch what happens to the Ravens. If they fall apart after signing Flacco and releasing i think it was 5 starters, teams may look at signing their QB’s at more than 20 mill a yr a little differently. The problem is the caps not rising yet QB salaries are. Its a copy cat league and you are right at this point in time teams are keeping their franchise QB’s but if it begins to drive teams into decimating their rosters……..Who knows. Thats why i believe that we need to choose the QB we draft this yr very carefully. Remember Harbaugh is the “QB whisperer”
yes and that’s why I asked which core players would or could be traded. It’s simple. If the QB wants to win, he’ll take less to like Brady did. Qb’s are such a premium to teams, at least good ones. They make a difference at the turnstiles too. Coorperate money and advertising dollars go up when you have good franchises. QB’s are essential to that.
The way I look at it, every team can only afford 4 highly players, of which one is the 15-20 million dollar guy. Everyone else else needs to be accounted for carefully. Offensive line 30 million, d line 15 million, linebackers 20 million, secondary 20, Wr’s and TE’s 15 million and Rb’s 12, QB’s 15.
That’s 127 million.
Good drafting is very important as some of these salaries would be significantly dropped, helping teams keep healthy.
Brady took less at the end of his career after he was set for life, because of the new CBA a players second contract is the most important one of his life. I do’nt see any elite QB taking less in their 2nd contract maybe his third and by the time CK is signing contract #2 it might be for 25 mill a yr while the cap will have not gone up but a very little. The economics of the game may change how teams deal with their QB’s. In a couple of years the only teams that will be able to afford the elite QB’s in their 2nd contract may be the teams that have’nt experienced success yet.
Big Niner,
Brady didn’t really take less money. He will be 36 years old before the season starts. The deal was done to give the Pats some cap relief over the next couple of years.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/26/tom-brady-gets-30-million-to-sign/
We can find good TE’s in the draft. None with his speed or explosiveness, but many better route runners with better hands.
49er secondary was grossly over rated last year. They were mediocre at best, but Justin smith freed up Alton, do most teams could not exploit them. Ny giants brought up Justin smiths assistance on Alton. Funny after that Minnesota, Seattle St. Louis Atlanta, ne, and the ravens didn’t have much to fear regarding our pass rush. Bill Walsh recognized it in 1981 when he drafted Lott Williamson wright and traded for ford dean, can’t win the big one without pass defense. Check out the so so Giants who beat good if not grat N E teams twice. They didn’t do it with run defense! Baalke better have his A game for this draft ( last one was a solid d-, absolutely useless) because the Niners without a substantial upgrade at DL and secondary could be fighting for third place. People seriously need to watch game film, Seattle creamed us, Wilson made our d look stupid. That’s before they got Hardin, the best fa dt and a proven pass rusher! We couldn’t even beat the miserable rams last year! This off season will make or brake this team for the next 3-4 years, watch.
In order to beat Harvin, the Niners need a CB that can jam him at the LOS, match him step for step, and be able to play him tight in coverage. A ball-hawking safety could also assist in covering Harvin as well. And if the Niners have a stronger pass rush they can keep Wilson from getting set and force throws to Harvin that can lead to some interceptions.
I agree but not just for harvin’s sake, but for any team with a good slot reciever. This is a copy cat league and teams study film day and night, so they’ll figure out how to attack our defense. I worry about our D linemans agility for when plays break down and Qb’s like Wilson start scrambling.
At this point, I’d settle for a great cover safety with decent tackling instead of the big hitter. If you can find both attributes in one guy then great.
Vaccaro or Elam have the attributes you, myself and the 49ers seek…
I hope we get one of these guys then.
Razor
Im no draftnick but everyone seems to say the same thing: that vaccaro and elam are more on the hitting side than on the coverage side. Cyprien by all accounts is more of a coverage safety. with whitner aboard and spillman in the wings we need a cover S more than a thumper IMO
I like the fact that Harbaugh is in Baalkes’ face expressing to him the importance of this draft, and that he needs to make this his signature piece.
Has he been in his face?
Figure of speech…apologies. Everytime he sees him he reminds him…yea baby! Better?
lol, ok. I have read though JH is working harder than ever this offseason. kind of scary considering what kind of workaholic he already was.
If the 49ers don’t get that Super Bowl monkey off their backs this year…I feel like I might melt down like the wicked witch of the west…
You think so? a melt down? hmmm Do you mean on a coaching level or organizational level?
“I might “. So, on a personal level…
oops, my bad, didn’t read it correctly. I’ve already melted down several times. You didn’t want to see me after the Giants game last year or the Superbowl this year.
Sorry, my mistake Big P.
AES,
It’s all good, I thought it was funny.
in regards to the money/ contract issues we might run into: yes players like A.Davis, upati, aldon and kaep will have to get paid soon. not singing goldson was the first step in the plan. saved 8 mil a year. carlos rogers, getting paid 7 mil will get cut either before this year or before 2014. thats 15 mil!!! justin smith and frank gore will retire/resign for less or move on by then also, saving us another 10-20 mill. that is why we must nail this draft! we can’t afford to sing big name free agents. we will however be able to sing our own. the only way we improve is through the draft. very important.
What’s your definition of nail this draft? 3-4 starters 2-3 contributing reserves. Is there a time frame?
People are bagging on last years draft, but it will take a few years to truly see how they develop. And they traded some picks for picks in 2013, this years draft.
1. AJ jenkins-?
2. Lamichael James- looks like a good pick only because Hunter IR
4. Joe Looney- ?
Injured- Cam Johnson/Darius Fleming.
It will take time to see how/if these guys develop.
Majority of 49ers fans didn’t think Kaepernick could do it after his first year watching him throw 0 TD’s and 5 ints in preseason time. But we now know how he turned out.
Just saying that even if the 2013 players don’t have much of an impact this year, it’s definitely not a total loss. Although we all hope and I hope everyone pick makes the roster and is a future starter/pro-bowler.
I’m betting Baalke would rather have as many picks as possible between #40 and #55 than both #31 and #34. I think that the Niners can get four top players in that range versus just two of basically the same quality level.
i agree razor. i think it will be very unlikely that we keep both pick 31 and 34. i doubt that there will be 2 players there that we cant get in the 40′s or 5o’s. my preference would be to trade one, (lets say #34) to a team for a first rounder next year! thats what we did with carolina a few years ago to end up getting upati and davis in the 1st. we parlayed a high 30′s early 4o’s overall for what ended up being a top 20 pick. then, we either pick the guy we want at #31 and trade up later in the second( move up from our pick at 62 to the 40′s or 50′s) or, trade the 31 st pick down to the 40′s or so and acquire more picks for next year
Great idea.
I also think that if there are a bunch of players at #31 that are available. I think the 9ers trade back in the 1st into the 2nd day.
The team can afford to trade #31 because only 2 other players can be taken off the board and they then again can fire a shot at #34.
If they pick at #31 they REALLY like that player or they couldn’t find a team who was willing to trade back with them at a fair price.
Pull a 2012 Ozzie Newsome move:
He traded #29 for #35 and #98 and still picked up 1st round rated talent Courtney Upshaw.
Agree there will be some good ballers in that range. I spent the afternoon reading a bunch on prospects. I saw two mocks that Ansah fall to the Niners at 31, and one of those had both Ansah and X.Rhodes falling there and Datone Jones lasting until top of the 2nd. I also saw Foilolo rated in the 4th Rd. I had Rhodes, Jones, and Ansah going above that and Foilolo at 6/7. Lots of if fervent ideas out there.
* different ideas
Humbly I must disagree.The possibility of say a Jessie Williams and P.Thomas (S) or J Taylor(CB) in that range would make me stay pat in that hand.
It all depends on how the 1st round shakes out.
I guess it depends on how much they value whom, and what positions they value as deep.
I think there is a big jump from #34 to #40 and #55.
I really feel the more likely scenario is jumping back with the #31 pick on the 1st day of the draft back to the 2nd day and into the mid to high 30′s. From day 1-2, the 49ers lines will light up they will be able to see who other teams value even if they don’t make a trade and if they trade that #31 pick, they still pick in #34, behind the Ravens and Jags.
#32 Raven’s may trade pick for more picks or go BPA. Jags may definitely pick up a QB, OT, DL, or CB. I really think the value is there if they decide to trade back, but once again it all depends on how the draft unfolds.
get some great pass rushers hurrry the q.b.. Hit percy at the line often. pray some.
whats up with margus hunt? im hearing this kids a monster? 6’8 280 pounds and runs a 4.6???
Raw……
Bow down to No. 92. A man among boys.
Highlight video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72SLCNaHJco
He may be raw, but he wouldn’t start anyway. But he would be productive in his first year as a situational pass rusher and on special teams. I think this is the kind of pick the fans of all the teams who don’t draft him will wonder how their GM could have possibly missed.
Reminds me of Charles Haley, only bigger and faster.
Impressive, but with all due respect, he’s not faster than Haley was. I won’t be sorry if they take him though.
BT, my statement about Hunt being faster than Haley was an assumption, so I should not have stated it as fact. After your post, I tried looking it up but could not find anything.
Not meant to dis you. Haley came out as a rangy 235lb ILB and then became the league’s premier speed rusher. Most 6-5 235 guys can outrun 6-8 300 pounders, and Crazy Haley was more gifted than most guys. I don’t know if Combine result data is available that far back, but I’d be willing to bet a nice bottle of Cab on it. : >)
BT, I hail from NYC and have pretty thick skin. Your comment was justified and keeps me honest. As for your bet, I’ll pass. Haley was pretty fast. I remember him running down lots of people from behind. What a player!
Can he catch?
Hunt is a rare physical specimen no doubt. But he is one of those guys I spoke about earlier. A guy who has the combine numbers that mesmerize teams but never reach their potential more often than not.
There are many examples of these type of combine sweethearts.
Taylor Mayes and Bruce Campbell (raiders) just to name a couple.
If Hunt is a true ‘baller’ then I see the 49ers going with him if he’s still there at either #31 or #34.
Here’s an interesting comparison for everyone.
Vernon Gholston: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/vernon-gholston?id=756
Margus Hunt: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/margus-hunt?id=2539310
Very similar. Hunt is taller and heavier, while Gholston had more experience and a better resume. Both blew up the combine as physical freaks.
I like Hunt, especially if he falls to 61 which is possible but not probable. So is he worth taking at 34 or 31?
Cory Lemonier is the player I would take over Hunt to help out with that DE rotation.
Convert to tight end….
yea, there are always guys who put up freakish numbers at the combine and dont pan out. remember vernon gohlston? at 6’8, the thing that worries me is being too tall, getting “out leveraged”. but the wingspan on that guy. swatting down passes all day
I agree. Makes me wonder how heavy, tall and effective Ed “Too Tall” Jones was.
I think it was Gil Brandt who quipped after drafting Jones (paraphrase) Yeah, he’s too tall, but that’s what I said about Ted Hendricks earlier, so I drafted Ed anyway.
Facing this guy is a good idea to bring up, but who knows what our final personnel/roster will look like next year, or Seattle’s. It’s tough to think about stopping him at this point. One fact: he’ll be a nightmare to face, not just for the 49ers, but all teams facing him, RW, Lynch, their WR’s and TE’s. He’s an elite talent – that’s why Seattle paid such a steep price. The bigger question, I think, is whether Seattle gains or loses overall value for what they paid for him. With the salary cap, the point of roster “value” (along with having an elite QB) is the supreme determinant of long-term team success.
The Pukehawks will fall to earth this year! Too much talk! Too much mouthing off! Too much trash talking! Too much of everything!
Besides payback is going to be bitch this year for them!
The Falcons just signed Osi
What do you think about Amerson and converting him to safety?
@Razor
I was reading on Amerson, among others, and what I read was he got torched a lot on deep routes. Gambler.
From PFW: “Amerson looked like a burgeoning star entering 2012, but he was burned repeatedly, causing his stock to plummet. Risky pick whose ball hawking skills will have to carry him.”
And yet they rated him the second best ‘Zone CB’ on their list. They had three categories: Zone, Man, and Slot.
Niners were at his pro day.
he better than John Abraham?
We must have one hellava plan for tge draft because our rivals in the NFC have gotten better through free agency.
All we need is Josh Johnson and its a guarantee SB trip again!
Josh Johnson the Bengal ?
No, I want Alex the bust back! Lol.
Smh.
Busts dont net you a 2nd and a 3rd. just saying
Way to move on, Jordan.
Waking up the Smithers! Lol
Nope, just showing everyone that your ignorance continues unabated.
You would think the 49ers’ complete lack of interest in Josh Johnson would make you realize that you don’t know your a$$ from a hole in the ground when it comes to evaluating QBs, but apparently you just can’t take the hint.
Lol. Bro.
What’s the word on Charles Woodson are we still interested in picking him up? I can’t see Dahl and Whitner as our starting safetys. If Balkee thinks that is good enough we are in trouble
woodson and nnamdi are still on the market and still considering the 9ers. woodson isnt getting much attention at all from other teams and nnamdi is gonna choose between us and the saints unless something changes. my guess is that we are not offering either guy very much money because we will draft some kids at those same positions. if either man singed, it would be to compete with the rookies. if your a veteran, competing against a rookie for a starting job on a superbowl contender is an ideal situation. this is why we feel we dont need to offer much money.
Still wish the team would’ve drafted a kicker and paid him 1/2 million instead of 38 year old Phil Dawson and his $2.3 million. He’s proven, but old!!!
It’s true he is an older kicker and more expensive than someone they could draft and keep for several years. But perhaps they don’t think any of the kickers coming out have what it takes. Perhaps they do like one or more but think they will be gone by the time they fill other needs. Perhaps they think they have better use for those later draft picks. In my opinion the only way to evaluate this move is after we see what the roster looks the morning of game one.
That’s true. They will also bring in some UDFA kickers into camp, so we’ll see how that shakes out.
Just feel like the Phil Dawson signing is like the Akres signing a couple years ago. Don’t want to get 1 good year out of Dawson and then he starts heading downhill as well.
I have the same concern.
Given last year’s experience, I understand and have no problem with the team’s preference for a sure thing proven commodity at PK over a cross-your-fingers-and-hope-for-the-best rookie.
we have had a pretty good track record with older kickers. nedney was lights out as was akers until it started going south early/middle of last year. the guy scored the most points ever for a 49er 2 years ago then booted a 63 yarder! yes, he could have won both rams games and yes we ALMOST ended up with the 3 seed and no bye. but we got the bye, beat the falcons on the road and akers did not cost us the SB so no harm done. dawson was very accurate last year!
Yeah,
But, even veteran kickers may lack NFL playoff kicking experience. Phil Dawson has only kicked in the playoffs once.
Dustin Hopkins FSU and Caleb Sturgis Florida may only be college kickers, but let’s not forget they kicked for TOP college teams and in the last four years have: played in rivalry games, bowl games, competed against each other (FSU and Florida) and and have a history (albeit short) of kicking game wining kicks.
Just saying don’t underestimate rookie kickers. In fact I recently read a stat that rookie kickers have a slightly higher Field goal make % than veterans.
Do you really think Phil Dawson will have trouble kicking in the playoffs? I don’t. He has kicked game winners before. He is about as close to guaranteed as you are gong to get with a PK.
As far as lacking relevant experience goes, Hopkins and Sturgis kicked for Florida and FSU. They have little, if any, experience kicking in the kinds of challenging weather conditions they will face at Candlestick and in other places in the NFL. Btw, next year’s Super Bowl will be played in New Jersey. Dawson has extensive experience in such conditions and has done well.
I’m not underestimating rookie kickers. I just agree with the 49ers that for 2013, Phil Dawson is the preferred option. That’s not to say I would object if the 49ers chose to select a kicker in the draft “for competition” and then place him on the IR when he injures himself during the preseason.
CB
I like the way you think. Dawson being 38 can’t have more than a year or two left in the tank, and with a glut of later round picks id love a sturgis or hopkins to compete with him in TC only to “suffer an undefined injury” right around the time of final cuts so we can stash him on IR for future use. Worked out ok for Jewel Hampton
Maybe we sign NA as a CB; move Culliver to FS and then draft a safety and a CB to compete this year, maybe start next year.
there is a possibility, we were discussing such a scenario last weekend
I know its the Off Season when:
My midday plan for Sunday is going to the Artisan Cheese Festival.
Might I suggest you try the Hooligan with a good Belgian dubbel?
I’ll look for it. Last time I went a few years ago I found a white cheddar from Lodi that rocked. We’ve got some great local ones right here, but I like seeing what others are doing elsewhere. Yesterday they did a paired tasting with Lagunitas Brewery.
(lol). I know it’s the off-season when:
I forced myself to watch about two minutes of Arena Football.
49ers’ want a big-bodied cornerback, according to Barrows http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2013/03/49ers-looking-at-big-bodied-cornerbacks-in-the-draft-too.html
Hey says they’ve met with David Amerson and Xavier Rhodes. I still think the 49ers should and will trade up for Rhodes.
i really like rhodes for his size. i totally agree that we need to trade up and get this guy! we wouldn’t have to move WAY UP like we would to get dee milner. rohdes starts day one. then the only question who starts at FS?
Grant,
X.Rhodes makes good sense, and he certainly looks to be worth trading up too.
What trade scenario do you see for Rhodes?
I do’nt see the 9ers trading up. I see them taking the best safety\CB\DT left on the board at 31. Then trading #34 to a team that wants a QB high in the 2nd rd, in return we will get a #1 next yr and an extra 3rd or 4th.
Looks big bodied, not sure if he can play press and tackles high. He looks more like a safety to me than a corner.
My thinking exactly…
Amerson measured 6ft 1in at the combine not the 6ft 3in that Matt Bee says.
No way in hell they trade up for Rhodes…
I don’t think they trade up far for Rhodes. If he falls to the 20s they might, but doubt the teens. CB is looking like a realistic option for either pick 31 or 34.
That’s all well and good, but who is going to cover slot receivers like Victor Cruz, Percy Harvin, Danny Amendola, etc.?
Should have read the article. I see they checked out B.W. Webb. He could handle that responsibility. That is, if the 49ers don’t take Tyrann Mathieu.
Ex-49er Anthony Adams announced his retirement in absolutely hilarious fashion. It would be nice if more professional athletes were like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vxpf0tmllBc#!
Big P,
Very funny.
I wonder how that job at White Castle is working out for AA?
Ex,
Lol. If the sports networks were smart, they would hire him. That was the perfect resume tape.
P,
He’s definitely got a sense of humor and doesn’t take himself too seriously. I would think some network could use him.
Big
Thanks; the video is very funny.
49er42,
In a world full of narcissistic athletes, his self-deprecating humor was very refreshing. He is a funny dude.
Dumervil to Baltimore. Quietly replacing aging veteran stars with solid younger talent. And, oh yeah, they have the 2nd most picks in this draft.
Agree. They had to face it, so they’re all in. And guess what, they’ll refit pretty fast by not dragging it out. If they have a real good draft they may only fall off for the first half of the season and then hit a new stride.
Glad 49ers didn’t go after this guy. But great that the Seahawks did, lol.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000153219/article/seahawks-bennett-reportedly-has-torn-rotator-cuff
All of their off-season moves come with question marks. Pete Carroll is desperate to win now, which is understandable. I just don’t think the addition of Avril and Bennett were as big as some make them out to be, and they gave up too much for Harvin. They are a very good team, but they will be the hunted this year. The Niners were better last year and took everybody’s best shot along the way. That is easier said than done.
I agree, BigP, after two 7-9 seasons – and even after last season’s 11-5 season and playoff run, Carroll knows that this is the season he needs to bring in the division title (with a winning record this time) and another deep run in the playoffs or it could be his last as an HC in Seattle. Any regression and he is likely done.
I’ve commented on others mocks so now it’s time to be fair and give others a chance to get back at me. My first shot at it and only went 4 rounds in until I’ve had time to look a little further at the prospects I expect to be there later on.
No trades in this but I expect there to be a number of them made by Baalke, both for picks next year and packaging picks to move up in rounds 3-7.
1st – Tyler Eifert TE
2nd – Eric Reid FS
2nd – Barrett Jones C
3rd – Logan Ryan CB
3rd – Malliciah Goodman DE
4th – *Marcus Lattimore
4th
Continued…
4th – Matt Scott QB
5th – Tony Jefferson S
5th – *Josh Boyce WR
I used NFL DraftScout as my guide to who could be available when, but as we know prospects are viewed differently by the site you use it seems.
My reasoning for the picks:
I’ve seen Eifert sliding on many mocks recently and even out of the first round in a couple and it’s crazy. If he gets to 31 the Niners should run to the podium with his name on the card. Great all around TE who will be the best available player should he fall that far.
Reid is the second best all around S in the draft imo behind Vaccaro. There’s been rumblings that the Niners have been looking hard at him and he fills the biggest need the team has right now.
Jones is an excellent and versatile Olineman who will fall due to a foot injury he is rehabbing and will be a steal at the end of the second round. Our future dominant Center is taken here.
Ryan is a good sized CB who excells in man coverage. Put up a 4.5 at the combine but has good game speed.
Goodman is truly a guy with all the tools who needs to be developed. Strong player who has played well without a lot of technique and could be a really good player in a couple of years with the Coaching he’ll get in the pros.
Lattimore is a pick for the future and with the abundance of picks the Niners can make a few moves like this.
Scott may be gone before this pick but if he’s there it’s a great spot to take him to be the developmental backup behind Kap.
Jefferson is not elite but is solid and could be developed to take over from Whitner.
Boyce is another player who will drop because of injury. In this case it’s the dread Lis Franc foot injury, but again the Niners can afford to gamble on players falling due to injury because of the extra picks. Low risk and potentially high reward.
Ballsy grabbing a C with a second round pick. Not saying I like or dislike it but I dig the juevos it takes to make it.
Again I’m seeing more offensive players going in mocks then I expected. 3 of the first 6 picks are offense and in total you have 5 of 9 going to the O. Again not a critique simply noticing a bit of a trend.
Good stuff, man I love draft season.
CFC,
Thanks but you can let me have it if you see something you dislike. I can take it.
As I went through it, it seemed the best value came on the offensive side of the ball which is why there are more picks on that side. I don’t know if Eifert will be there but a lot of good players are going to be pushed down due to the Dline and OT depth which means the Niners could be staring at the best TE in the draft at 31. Crazy that it could happen, but it could.
I love Barrett Jones’ potential to be a nasty mauler at C for the Niners. The kid has played everywhere on the line and played well but as a C he’s going to be a beast
Rocket,
I think a few players with late teen to early twenties talent, are going to be pushed down to the 49ers at 31 and 34 by some teams reaching for skill players in the first round that aren’t necessarily deserving.
Nice Mock. Highly doubt they go the Eifert rout, however that is what is great about Harbaugh and his regime. WE HAVE NO CLUE as to who and what they are targeting and what and when in the draft and that is what I love. They have great poker faces. It keeps everyone on their toes.
Gone are the days of Mike Nolan with his pea sized brain tipping his hand.
exgolfer,
Agreed. Some teams are going to reach for a QB, heck we might even be able to trade back for a 1st in 2014 under that scenario, but there will be some really good players at 31 if the Niners keep the pick.
Thanks for the feedback guys and like garlicboy said we have no idea which way the Niners will go which is a good thing.
@ rocket:
Bold moves with Eifert and Jones. I am not sure I agree with them, but I like that you are going BPA and not feeling constrained by the conventional wisdom that we must address “needs.”
I notice that you didn’t include a corner to cover shifty slot receivers. How do you foresee the 49ers addressing that need? Or do you not think it is a need?
I am unfamiliar with Goodman, but will do some research. Do you see him more as a guy to back up Justin Smith and McDonald, eventually taking over for one of them, or as an additional pass rusher?
Claude,
It is definitely a need, I just didn’t see a fit with my approach. Keep in mind there are another 5 picks beyond where I stopped so there is still opportunity. BW Webb could also be an option as opposed to Logan Ryan, but Ryan is the better overall player imo.
Goodman is the proverbial lump of clay that needs to be molded, but when that happens he could be great. Right now he’s playing with strength and speed and you can see that in his highlight reel. When somebody actually works with him on technique he could be something special. He would be a backup to Justin Smith and McDonald.
I really wanted to stick with the BPA idea regardless of position and I think for the most part I did that although my knowledge of every prospect is obviously not at the level of others. Thanks for the feedback.
As to the topic at hand, I don’t think that’s a real bad day against Harvin actually. They gave up one play that gained significant yards downfield and the rest they kept him relatively in check. He catches a lot of short passes that you aren’t going to stop so the number of catches doesn’t bother me. It’s the yac that matters and overall that wasn’t a really poor day against him imo.
Harvin can catch longer passes, too, but Ponder can’t throw them. Wilson can.
From what I’ve seen of Harvin going back to his time at Florida, most of his catches come within 10 yards of the LOS and then it’s rac to get the rest. No doubt he’ll make a few plays downfield but that’s not the main part of his game. He’s a space player. Musgrave actually used him more than Bevell did, by using him as a RB regularly as well as a receiver. I wonder if Bevell will adopt some of that now that he gets a second chance with Harvin?
It wasn’t just the 49ers that had problems defending him. Every team(corner back)had trouble covering him in those first 8 weeks. With that being said, we currently don’t have any corner that can be effective against quick slot receivers. Look what D. Amandola did to us, V. Cruz, etc. I feel like our corners come up short on defending quick slant/crossing patterns. Especially C. Rodgers
Mr. Faithful,
Good assessment. The quick slot WR has been a thorn for the 49ers defense over the last couple of seasons.
A DB can shadow the slot WR for a few yards but the SS has to be adept at covering the middle as a secondary wall of defense.
Our DB’ and Safeties were not very good at this last season. The slot WR’ you mentioned often exploited our lack of speed and quickness.
The c-hawks went after Harvin with this in mind. Either we draft the personnel who can fill these gaps or the D-Cord will need to devise a much better defensive scheme.
But this is truly an area of huge concern IMO.