Chip Kelly on 3rd-down offense: “We’re not completing the ball the way we should be.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Chip Kelly’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.

 

How about we just start with DL Arik Armstead going on Injured Reserve. How seriously did he aggravate that shoulder and what’s next for him?

“To the extent, I don’t know. That’s a good question for him. I just know that his shoulder is different than it was before. He met with the doctors and our training staff on Monday. From what I understand, they went through an MRI and then Arik, [49ers vice president of football operations Jeff Ferguson] Ferg and doc decided that the best option for him at this point in time after that MRI was to get operated on.”

 

Is that going to happen this week?

“I think within the week. I don’t know what the operation days are. Somebody said it was a TuesdayThursday thing, but I don’t know. May have missed the window on it. If not, it’ll be done by next week from what I understand, what I gather.”

 

It’s your understanding that it was not at a point where it required surgery before Sunday’s game and then after Sunday’s game it did require surgery?

“That’s what my understanding was, yeah.”

 

Is part of the decision taking a long view given your guys’ record–?

“No, part of the decision is the health of the player. There’s not long view, short view. It was the decision of the health of the player and what’s the best thing for Arik moving forward. There wasn’t, ‘Hey, if we’ve got to do this, let’s get him to play longer.’ The health and safety of the player is first and foremost in everybody’s mind.”

 

In the offseason you guys are going to have 21 free agents and I know that’s obviously a long time away from now. At what point do you begin evaluating your players for next season?

“I think we evaluate our players every day. So, I don’t look at it that all of a sudden now let’s look at them and say where do they fit in the long-term future. They have every single day that they’re in the building that they interact with the coaches, that they interact with people in the building. Every day that we’re on the practice field with them, every day that we’re, every opportunity we have to see them play in games, that’s all an ongoing evaluation. It’s not like all of a sudden in December we’ll say, ‘Hey, let’s really take a good hard look at [RB] DuJuan [Harris] now.’ We take a good hard look at DuJuan every single day. We have a feeling and understanding of every player that’s on our roster, whether they’re on the practice squad, whether they’re on IR or whether they’re on the team. I can give my feedback right away. I know what it is. If [49ers general manager] Trent [Baalke] came down and said, ‘Hey, tell me what your future thoughts are on DuJuan.’ I wouldn’t say I’ve got to go back and look at tape and make my mind up on him. I’ve been with him every day. I have a feeling about all the players at that point in time.”

 

Did you get a feeling whether Arik will be available for the start of the offseason program in April?

“I have no idea on that at all. I don’t know the extent of, I think a lot of that will be determined after they go in from the way I understand. No matter what the surgery is, you can go in and say, ‘Hey, it was this,’ whatever they’re doing in there, we did this and it took this. So, I always wait until after they go in and take a look and see what it is.”

 

With Arik Armstead out, can you shed some light on DL Ronald Blair? He was a player that really shined in the preseason. He’s done a really good job on gap integrity, setting the edge and so forth. Since that’s been a weakness on your defense up to this point, do you see him kind of seeing an increased role?

“Yeah, I think any of those guys have to see an increased role. You’ll see [DT] Quinton Dial a little bit more at defensive end. We had tried to move Quinton in at the nose. I think you’ve got to kind of go with a [DL Glenn] Dorsey, [NT Mike] Purcell rotation at the nose guard spot. Then you’ve got [DL] DeForest [Buckner], Ronald, [DT] Tony Jerod-Eddie and Quinton will be your defensive ends as we move forward.”

 

What about DT Chris Jones, the guy that you brought in? It seems like he’s got some experience.

“We’ll see. I mean, I haven’t seen him and got our chance to get eyes on him. Obviously he’s played in this league. He played for the Patriots and he played for the Dolphins. When you’re picking up players at this point in time during the year, it’s really what’s available, not ‘Hey, I really like that guy.’ Well, that’s great. He’s under contract with another team. We were fortunate that he became available. Hopefully it’s good timing because we got a chance to get him, but until we get to see him run around and do some things before we can determine exactly how he’ll fit in terms of what we’re doing.”

 

When it comes to improving the defensive production, how do you balance the emphasis on making a tackle and creating a turnover?

“Well, the tackle is the most important thing. We always talk about second guy in is trying to look for the strip in terms of how we’re teaching gang tackling and things like that. But, you never want to sacrifice, ‘Hey I was going for the ball,’ and then all of a sudden you miss the tackle. So, first and foremost number one is the tackle, second becomes the turnover.”

 

You simplified the defense a little bit since the start. Does that factor into the takeaway numbers that you’re just not being as aggressive in some facets?

“I don’t think it’s they’re not being aggressive. I just think the multiplicity in terms of how many fronts, how many coverages, how many blitzes you carry into the game is more of the simplification of it. It doesn’t mean that when we’re playing our base defense and playing quarters coverage that we’re telling them not to go after the ball. It’s just instead of carrying, when you talk about simplifying, instead of carrying 10 coverages into the game you may carry six coverages into the game. It’s just you cut back on the number of whether it be fronts, pressures, twists and coverages that you run when you go to simplify it.”

 

But, do you think that has an impact tough just because the opponent doesn’t have as much to deal with complexity-wise with your defense?

“Yeah, it’s not complexity-wise, but it’s still, I mean maybe the most simply defense in the league is Seattle and they do an outstanding job of it. They really play really one front. They’ve got minimal amount of pressures, A, because they can generate a pass rush with their four down guys. They’ve got outstanding cover guys that can cover not only anybody in the league, but they can cover for a long time. There’s not an ‘X’ like, ‘Hey you’re not complex, you’re not going to get turnovers.’ There are teams that are very simple, very basic in terms of what they do but they execute. It really comes down to execution.”

 

The decision to not put CB Will Redmond on the 53-man, was that a reflection on his health or just–?

“His health.”

 

OK.

“He’s just not ready to go. When you talk to him, he feels like he’s about 75, 80-percent right now. Doesn’t have the explosion that he has. His injury has healed, but he doesn’t feel like he can, and you’ve seen it when we had him out there on the practice field, he didn’t feel like he could turn it on and go and if he’s not going to be at 100-percent, it’s not fair to him to have to put him out there at not 100-percent. But, could he play and is he medically cleared to play? Yeah. He’s cleared and he’s medically cleared to play.”

 

What is it about how the building is set up that you guys feel comfortable as an organization to have Trent Baalke scouting as much as he does during the week?

“I’m confused. That’s his job.”

 

I don’t think every general manager spends as much time on the road as he does, but–?

“That’s his choice. It’s just, the guys who aren’t on the road are watching tape in their office. So, it’s just, do you want to watch it live or do you want to watch it, you know, and I think what Trent does a good job of is when you’re not watching the tape in your office, you’re actually out there at the colleges, you’re getting more background information on the individual player that you’re looking at. So, say it’s the quarterback at Cal. You can watch 11 games on the quarterback at Cal in your office or you can also watch him in person and then talk to [University of California head coach] Sonny Dykes about him. So, there’s plus or minuses, but if anything occurs here, as [Sacramento Bee reporter] Matt [Barrows] alluded to last week, he’s only a phone call away. So, if something were to happy, right, we could have a conversation.”

 

Did you find the phone?

“I did find the phone. So, that was a good thing. We met on it after last week when Matt said you could actually call him. I was like, ‘I did not know that but now I do know that.’ So, with him being on the road, the fact that he is just a phone call away, if something, but on a day-to-day basis here, there’s not really unless there was an explosion in the kitchen or something, I don’t what Trent being here, he’s here Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I talk to him when he leaves. Usually he leaves after practice on Wednesday to go somewhere to watch a Thursday game. He may stay out on Friday and then he’s back on Saturday or meets us at the game site on Saturday. So, I think the flow of it’s pretty good and the unique combination of, whenever Trent is not here, [assistant general manager] Tommy Gamble is here and whenever Tommy Gamble’s not here, Trent is here. So, I think they’ve worked out a really good schedule from that standpoint.”

 

At this point in the season, do you guys talk about this is what we need in the future or are those talks about the future?

“Yeah, we’ve had conversations like that. We talk daily. Whether it be the first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. It’s, before we leave, we’ll get together or the first thing in the morning where maybe our third-down meeting went really long and Trent left and it was 10-o’clock or 10:15 or 10:30 when our meeting ended on Tuesday night. Then, the first thing I do when I get in here at 5:45 is I’ll get a run by Trent’s office and we’ll get a chance to catch up if we didn’t meet the night before. We meet daily.”

 

ME: ESPN posted a stat this morning that on third downs your quarterbacks combined are completing less than 55-percent of their passes and averaging less than four yards per attempt. What’s going into those numbers? What are the issues on third down?

“Well, we’re not completing the ball the way we should be and I think part of being a really good situational football team, and we’ve talked about that, is those situations. You look at the prime example, in the one game that really it stuck out for you was in the Seattle game and in the Seattle game, I want to say it was nine or 10 times we were third-and-six or less and didn’t convert. When you’re playing a good football team, the first thing you have to do is get into manageable third down situations. In that game, we got into manageable third down situations but then we didn’t convert in those manageable third down situations. So, it’s about us doing a good job of putting a plan together and giving them an opportunity to convert on third down. The one thing about our quarterbacks though that I will give them credit in our conversion in third down, if people are doing a good job of covering you is that, I don’t know the exact number, but you look it up, is how many times have our quarterbacks run for the first down on third down because they have done a good job. So, our completion percentage is down, but I think our quarterbacks have really done a good job with their legs on third down of converting third downs from that standpoint. But, we have to be better than 55-percent to be a really good football team in this league on completion percentage on third down.”

 

RB Carlos Hyde update, anything new with him?

“He’ll go through just like he did last week. He’s in a blue jersey. He won’t get hit. He’ll go through. It’s really range of motion and Carlos’ comfort level and that decision will be made after Saturday going through training with him sitting down with [vice president of football operations Jeff Ferguson] Ferg and doc [team physician Tim] McAdams in terms of where he feels he is at that point in time.”

 

The Cardinals RB David Johnson, I think he’s fourth in the league in terms of rushing. What did you see from him last month and just what kind of presence does he have on their offense?

“I think he’s got a unique presence. A, you don’t see a guy with that size that has that athletic ability. Usually, if you’re going to get a bigger back like that, he’s kind of a plugger that’s going to hit it up in there. I think he has the ability to run inside the tackles because of his size, but he also has the ability, speed and athleticism to get to the perimeter and then the other thing with him that was really unique and you knew it coming out and I know when we scouted him when I was in Philadelphia at the time when he was coming out is what a great pass receiver he is. He actually entered Northern Iowa as a receiver. I think he was more of a receiver coming out of high school and went to Northern Iowa as a receiver/running back and then really morphed into the running back that he is. But, he’s your true three-down back. There are some three-down backs that are great in pass-pro and can catch the ball coming out of the backfield, but when you split him out of the backfield and get into empty looks, he’s kind of like a fish out of water out there. He’s not. He can run a route tree as a receiver out there. So, I think that’s what makes him such a unique guy to defend and probably one of the most versatile backs that we’ll face.”

This article has 77 Comments

  1. It’s going to be the David Johnson show, starring David Johnson. Produced by David Johnson, and Directed by David Johnson….

      1. Iupati was a gift by Baalke, who was too cheap to retain veteran leadership.

        Wonder why he is on the road? Maybe he feels like a dead man walking around at 4949.

    1. It’s going to be any RBs show against this talentless team and in other news our injury prone RB Carlos Hyde still wearing a blue jersey a month later. Way to go Baalke your the best smh

  2. Chip was talking about that Cal QB. Does he have a draft crush on Webb? I wouldn’t mind Garrett and Webb as our first two picks.

        1. No offense, but it would not surprise me if Baalke was still around and drafted a kicker with the second pick!

        2. I cringe… I really struggle to get on board with Webb as anything more than a late round option.

          1. It’s becoming more likely that the Niners bypass a QB early first. To add a Garrett or Allen to this Defense is what the doctor ordered. I would look at Falk in the early second or Mason Ruddolf early third. I think QB is too big of a risk early. This team needs 3 years of soild drafts. I wouldn’t be opposed to getting Webb and Kelly latter. Stock pile QBs. Hope for 1 to stick. If not look at the top of the 2018 draft since most likely we will be picking high again. RB is the mid rounds would be a good idea. I’m a big fan of Hyde but his injury history is bothering me. Need a young guy to push him.

            1. I really don’t understand the mentality of being ok with waiting to draft a QB until later in the draft and looking to 2018 instead. First off, by waiting for a QB in the 2017 draft all you do is increase the risk of not getting a guy you really like and of getting a dud (or two duds, if you take two late round QBs). And there is absolutely no way of knowing right now who will be available in the 2018 draft. If Browning and Rosen stay in college their senior years, and most of the underclassmen declare this year, then 2018 could actually be a really bad QB class.

              And what is more, if you are looking to 2018 to draft a ‘star’ QB, you need to be picking early in 2018, which means you are basically giving up on the 2017 season right now.

              1. You never reach for a QB early. Sets your team back for 5 years. This team lacks just about everywhere. Whether your want to give up the 2017 or not unfortunately that’s where we are at as a franchise… Look at the colts for example, took a Franchise QB a couple years ago and now there struggling every week cause there team blows. Improve the Defense and skill positions first. I don’t want to watch another A Smith for 6 years struggling cause he has nothing to work with.

              2. I really don’t understand the mentality of being ok with waiting to draft a QB until later in the draft and looking to 2018 instead.

                It has more to do if the need fits the quality Scooter. I do not believe it is smart for a team to overvalue a prospect due to a need because such a mentality can gravely set a team back. Instead, it would be better to draft a prospect who will address a need but be overvalued, or work to strengthen other areas of the team while looking at possible future solutions for the other needs. Free agency also myst be taken into consideration because a diamond in the rough could be found there that can address or plug the need until a better option comes around.

              3. If there were 0 QB prospects that even looked like decent starting potential QBs then I would agree with you wholeheartedly. I don’t believe that to be the case.

                I understand not wanting to take one of these guys with a top 10 pick, but there are guys that are worth first and second round picks.

              4. Starting potential and value at the pick are two different things though. I agree there are QBs worth a first or second round pick, but there a good number of teams that could or will be drafting a QB in 2017, so that needs to be taken into consideration as well because some of those guys could be drafted by another team.

              5. Absolutely. Which is why I think waiting until the 2nd round is risky.

                My approach would be to try and trade down a bit, get an extra pick or more, but still take a QB in the top 15 – 20. If I can’t trade down, I would look to trade up from the 2nd round back into the 20s. I think with that approach you would still likely get one of the top 3 QBs in the draft.

              6. I would be for that idea Scooter, but there is no guarantee a QB would be waiting there to be picked up at that new draft position without over valuing him. I think it may be better to address another need or strengthen another area on the team than risk over valuing a draft prospect.

              7. At some point they need to take a QB. If they keep trading back if they don’t like what is available at their pick they’ll end up with the dregs, which is a waste of time. QBs get over valued all the time. To get a decent one you usually have to over draft them to some degree. The Dak Prescott’s of the world are rare. The Tom Brady’s much rarer.

                The team needs a QB of the future. It is that simple. Going BPA every pick means they run the risk of not getting a decent QB prospect once again. Can’t let that happen. So yeah, the team will probably need to over draft a guy a bit. Good news is that while everyone is fixated on the idea of it being a weak QB class because there are no true ‘franchise’ QBs, it looks a pretty decent class of QBs for that next tier down – decent starting potential QBs. A fair few guys that fit that mold. Really shouldn’t miss out on one of them.

            2. The only QBs drafted in the first round next spring will be from a total desperation move. It is a very think class, lacking the “franchise” talent at signal caller. Would hate to see Baalke and the Niners burn a selection on a player who is not the quality which that slot should command!

              1. Just because there is no ‘franchise’ calibre QB doesn’t mean there aren’t some guys with decent starting potential available. If you don’t like the idea of taking one at #2 (or wherever the 49ers end up picking) that’s fine, but you had better get one with that 2nd pick if you can’t trade down from #2.

              2. Seems like a poor-man’s Goff. Similar system. Similar strengths and weaknesses. No thanks.

              3. Well you know how I feel about Goff, so a poor man’s Goff in the second round is fine with me. I think he’s more than that though.

              4. I really don’t see Falk as a poor man’s Goff. The system turns people off, but he is a highly accurate passer that does a very good job making pre-snap reads and going through full field progressions. He’s not your typical spread QB.

                Personally he is the QB I would be going after.

              5. I think that’s a misnomer Grant. Falk throws a lot of short passes no question, but he’s able to deliver the ball accurately downfield as well. No issues with arm strength that I’ve seen. He will have the same learning curve as Goff, and I feel Goff is a better pocket passer, but he’s got the intangibles and accuracy to be a pretty good pro QB imo.

              6. He is totally unprepared for the NFL game. A project like Goff with less talent than Goff, who doesn’t have that much talent to begin with. Pass. Both are products of gimmick college systems.

              7. “Both are products of gimmick college systems.”

                I think that is the common misconception about Falk. That he is just a system QB. But he does a lot more than your typical spread QB with regards to the mental side of the game. I think once it gets to the end of the season and people start doing more research they will come away impressed.

                I think he is more NFL ready than Goff was. He is given control of that offense once the play is called in (like many NFL offenses these days, he gets play options and checks to the play he sees as the best given the defense), an advanced understanding of coverages (by college QB standards) and where his open receiver is, and an advanced understanding and capability of working through his progressions. That is atypical of spread QBs.

              8. Unless the Niners can trade for a vet and he becomes a day one starter, whoever they draft I believe has to be ready to start week one!

              9. “Falk isn’t even the best QB Mike Leach has coached. That would be Graham Harrell.”

                No, it wouldn’t.

              10. What are you basing that on? Stats? It certainly isn’t from watching the two QBs play.

              11. I must admit I didn’t see Kingsbury play, but I’m guessing this is another case of “wrong”. Looking at the stats I have no idea how you are comparing the two. Looks like Kingsbury likely struggled reading the D and going through his progressions.

                Just watch Falk play. Take the system out of the equation. He’s good. The sort of QB that looks like he’d have been good playing in a more pro style system. I believe as a RS Junior he will have an opportunity to play at the Senior Bowl so long as he has graduated. I hope he accepts the invite if he is eligible. I feel pretty confident he’d impress there too.

              12. You have to take the system out of the equation when evaluating players from spread systems. Otherwise you would never draft any of them. And most colleges run it in some form these days. I don’t envy personnel departments having to make these decisions on guys that play in such systems.

              13. If the QB was a franchise talent, you’d take him and develop him. Falk is not a franchise talent. He’s fool’s gold.

              14. “Falk is going to break your heart.”

                Hardly. Succeed or fail, I’ll be fine. I don’t get that invested in these guys. I just enjoy watching them play and trying my hand at ‘scouting’. But I am a believer in Falk.

              15. Well, I guess we will have to wait and see. History isn’t on your side here. You have a pretty ordinary record when it comes to judging QB talent.

              16. Yeah, Wentz, Prescott, Bridgewater, Garoppolo and Winston are all looking like terrible players.

              17. Nice revisionist history.

                You thought Goff was better than Wentz. I preferred Wentz. And you thought Connor Cook was the 38th-best player in the draft. I didn’t.

                You also thought Prescott would be a career backup unless he played in a spread offense. “There are a lot of career backups in this draft,” you wrote. “Prescott needs to go to the right offense. He’ll never be a great pure pocket QB. In that type of offense he’ll most likely never be more than a backup. Could be perfect for Kelly’s type of offense though.”

                You missed on Prescott, and so did I. The person who nailed that one was CFC. He is hands down the scout of the year on this board.

              18. Grant,

                Scooter has done as good a job as any of us in identifying players who could succeed at the pro level. You may be right about Falk, who knows, but he could also wind up being another Derek Carr.

                You have to look beyond the system in the current College game because most programs are running a spread or some form of it. That’s why Goff was chosen number one last year and Mariota #2 the year before. You have to look at the whole package and be willing to develop the player.

                A lot depends on the team these players go to as well. Prescott has been outstanding, but playing behind the best Oline in football and being supported by the best running attack would make a lot of young QB’s look good. Goff is already being called a bust by many without even playing and yet there should be little doubt he’d be excelling in that type of situation if given the opportunity, as would a number of others. At the end of the day it’s the intangibles the individual brings to the table as to whether they will succeed or fail, not the system they play in.

              19. Scooter has done as good a job as any of us in identifying players who could succeed at the pro level.

                Yup.

              20. I said a lot of things, as does everyone. From memory my final rankings had Prescott as the 3rd best QB behind Goff and Wentz. I liked him. Yes, CfC definitely deserves the praise for identifying and believing in Prescott, he thought he was the best QB in the draft. And yes, I thought he would struggle as a true pocket passer, but the Cowboys are doing a good job of giving him a lot of easy throws and protecting him. That helps any QB become comfortable in the pocket.

                I still don’t think any QB from the 2015 draft will be a true elite level QB, but I always thought Wentz could be a good starting QB and Goff had the highest upside if he can develop the mental side of his game but a big risk of being a bust which is why I said he shouldn’t be taken top 10. Cook was my 4th ranked QB in what I still believe was a fairly weak class.

              21. You also liked Connor Cook very much. Your final ranking had Cook at 38. Prescott didn’t make your top 50.

              22. Still do like Cook.

                Must admit I don’t recall that. I thought I had Prescott ahead of Cook. Oh well.

            3. I would not take a QB with a high first round pick in this draft, especially when the talent level will be much greater at other positions. I would look for one in the second or third along with signing a FA. We can’t go into next year without a real QB prospect on the roster and you likely won’t find one late in the draft. Right now I think the 2018 QB class is going to be outstanding, but nothing is assured this far out considering how injuries or a fall off in play can change things quickly.

              1. You probably don’t need to take one with a top 10 pick this coming draft. But if you wait until the 3rd round you are more than likely getting the next tier guys. The Cody Kessler’s, Mike Glennon’s and Nick Foles’ of the NFL world. The chances of hitting on mid and late round QBs is much lower.

                Basically, if you need a QB, you need to be taking one of the guys that will be available in the first or second round. And yeah, you will possibly be reaching. Happens all the time with QBs, because teams know how hard it is to find a good one.

              2. That’s just it though Scooter, I don’t see a huge drop off from the so called top tier to the second tier in this draft. You risk missing out on a more talented player at another position if you reach for a QB in the first round, and this team cannot afford to miss on another high selection. There are too many needs and too little talent on this roster to gamble a first on an unimpressive QB class.

              3. I do see a drop off. I much prefer the likes of Falk, Trubisky, Watson, Kaaya and even Kizer to the likes of Rudolph or Mahomes.

              4. That’s where we differ because I see all the QB’s you just mentioned as second round picks. There really is no top tier-second tier gap, they are all in the same category to me. At least a couple will likely get taken in the first but that is how I see it and why I don’t want to draft one in the first.

          2. I cringe at the mere thought of the same GM, Head Coach and Scouting Department in command of the next draft….

            1. Sadly, I am expecting that more and more. The Yorks have proven time and time again that they do no care about the team, only money.

    1. Not sure but I think he may be referring to last year when he and Baalke went to scout Goff at Cal’s pro day. Whatever the case, Webb is a late round pick imo.

      What the Niners do in the draft is clearly going to come down to what happens with Baalke and Kelly. If they allow Baalke to keep his job, then we will see more of what we’ve been seeing in regards to the type of players and positions addressed. If they fire Baalke, promote Gamble and keep Kelly, then there will be a concerted effort to find players that fit his system. We could see an attempt at trading down to garner more picks in the first 4 rounds.

        1. #80,

          Chip was here last year during the scouting period and went to Goff’s pro day along with Hogan’s as well. That is what I was referring to. Whatever the case, Webb isn’t a great fit for the system as he’s not overly mobile and isn’t all that accurate either. I’d be surprised if he went before day 3.

  3. If you are relying or proud of the fact that our QB is converting 3rd downs running, you are lost Chip!

    1. Chip is just thankful that Kaep is skilled enough running to convert third downs.

      Speaking of third downs, Chip should call the Third Down Bomb. Kaep rolls out to buy time with his legs, then heaves the ball down field for a jump ball. If the WR catches the ball, great. If he is interfered with, great. If it falls to the ground, no big deal, they just punt. If it is picked off, the WR makes the tackle, and it is like a 60 yard punt.

  4. Tim Kawakami Verified account 
    ‏@timkawakami
    Weak owner, limited GM, lackluster coach, terrible roster… Gotta love those PSLs!

     Los Angeles, CA

    @timkawakami Depressed fans too. Levi’s this past weekend was so quiet/downtrodden except for the Harris and McDonald TDs…

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    Mike Franzoia ‏@mikefranzoia · Nov 8

    @timkawakami We bought 8 of those PSL’s, based on Harbaugh, not Levi’s. York’s think it’s B/C of Levi’s. Yes we are in purgatory now

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    Erik ‏@Etoft21 · Nov 8

    @timkawakami you can just use the word terrible for all of them

  5. Tim Kawakami Verified account 
    ‏@timkawakami
    I heard most of it, too. None of this is surprising. The struggles are just beginning inside 49ers HQ. The knives are out.

    trudy gonzales ‏@trudygonzales · Nov 8

    @timkawakami As you have reported they have built a culture of distrust now it is falling apart

    Thomas ‏@TizzleTrizzle · Nov 8

    @timkawakami always the most interesting part of the season for them. If only they worried about winning.

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    Mark Priscaro ‏@MarkPriscaro · Nov 8

    @timkawakami Re: The knives are out, hmmm, so who’s gonna be the turkey this time around that the Yorks carve up? ;-)

  6. By: Kyle Madson | November 7, 2016 5:32 pm ET

    The 49ers are going to lose 10 games in a row.

    They’re already in line to pretty easily tie the franchise record for consecutive losses with nine, set back in 1978 when the team went 2-14.

    Then San Francisco comes home to face the Patriots. With respect to player safety, they may just want to scrap this game.

    . Nine losses in a row would cement this team as one of the worst in 49ers history. The bad

    The 49ers will follow the Patriots out the Levi’s Stadium doors to fly
    to Miami, where the Dolphins and their running back Jay Ajayi wait.

    If you’ve not been following the NFL very closely, Ajayi has been setting the league on fire, rushing for 529 yards the last three games

    They travel to Arizona this week to face the Cardinals, who are

  7. But what was supposed to be a season of optimism where the team took positive steps towards contending again has turned into a nightmare.

    they’re on their way to being one of the worst 49ers teams in the franchise’s 70-year history.

    Perhaps the biggest issue in all of this is that York asked to be held directly accountable for the future of the 49ers. Yet, he has done and said nothing. The Kelly hiring was supposed to be a splash and it’s somehow going worse in the first season than the Jim Tomsula hiring, which was widely panned.

    Every move this team has made since right around York’s infamous Thanksgiving Night tweet has been wrong. The series of organizational blunders has all led to this. Seven straight losses, and what looks to be at least three more coming to set a franchise record for consecutive losses. How fitting.

    The question now is whether they raise consecutive loss banners, because that dubious footnote is about all Jed York and the 49ers will have to show for the last two seasons.

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