Eagles provide blueprint for 49ers’ rebuilding efforts

1

SANTA CLARA — This Sunday, the 49ers will play the team they aspire to become — the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles are elite. They’re 6-1, which is the best record in the NFL. But they were middle of the road the past two seasons. They won seven games in 2015 and seven games in 2016. What were the key components of their rapid ascension, and how can the 49ers learn from their example?

Click here to read Thursday article.

This article has 63 Comments

  1. The Raiders are also a pretty good blueprint, as you pointed out during the off-season. Basically, you need to build a good OL and find a quality QB. On D you need to be stout up the middle and be able to disrupt the passing game.

    1. Those are some seriously innovative and disruptive ideas, Scooter — probably originated in some Silicon Valley brew pub and written on the backs of paper napkins…. ;-)

        1. except the Raiders haven’t been strong up the middle ……….. maybe since Romanowski was there- and Bowman isn’t the solution.

    2. With a healthy Joshua Garnett next year and adding a center and guard via free agency and/or draft, this team can improve OL talent quickly. There needs to be a commitment in doing so, however.

  2. “What were the key components of their rapid ascension, and how can the 49ers learn from their example?”

    They fired Kelly, so we’re on the right track.

  3. Only PROBLEM I had with this article and Grant your supposed to cover the team .. so I’ll just assume you slipped on this one .. but when talking about our O-Line and the guards you forgot to mention we have another 1st rounder in GARNET at guard .. who will return there next season .. and just flat out forgetting to mention that our secondary is the biggest weakness to our football team to this point .. that should just be mentioned in all
    49er articles ???

    1. Grant also mentioned that he was standing next to Charles Haley, who saw Garnett not move his feet correctly, and was pretty upset seeing such a glaring deficiency.
      .
      Garnett graded out only a little better than Beadles, so he needs to work on his technique and work out to get stronger.
      .
      I would disagree about the secondary. It is not the biggest weakness. They have talent, but need to play more cohesively. Also, the pass rush needs improve, or no secondary will succeed.
      .
      My opinion is that the LBs are the biggest weakness.

      1. Actually, Haley didn’t say anything that Grant could hear and Grant put words in his mouth.

        OG Joshua Garnett. Garnett morally offended Charles Haley during one-on-ones. I was standing next to Haley. We both watched Garnett face Buckner. When the ball was snapped, Garnett immediately started back pedaling. He never set his feet, never braced for impact. This disturbed Haley. When Buckner and Garnett collided, Garnett offered no resistance and Buckner easily pushed him backward into the quarterback. After the play, Haley yelled to a scout and pulled him aside to discuss Garnett in private.

        Morally offended? Seriously, Grant tends to go way over the top. Garnett did something wrong. Grant decided it was the O-Line Apocalypse and the End of Football as We Know It.

        But the reality is, Grant didn’t quote Haley and wasn’t privy to the conversation. It could have been about Garnett. It could have been about Buckner. It could have been Haley’s off his meds again and wanted to talk about his large johnson.

        1. Haley yelled a series of expletives, which I heard but didn’t quote, then he pulled the scout aside to talk in private.

          1. What happened to your due diligence to get a follow up interview with Charles regarding the incident?

        2. Grant given access to practice field is like a kid in a candy factory — overwhelmed by the occasion — picking and choosing the candy he loves.

          Garnett is strong, sufficiently athletic for a ZBS guard, and has a nasty attitude. But he needs considerable work on his pass blocking technique. I don’t see any reason to believe he won’t significantly improve in that area. Like almost all the Niners first round picks in the last 15 years (except Willis and Staley), Garnett was picked in the draft ahead of where he should have been.

          1. I’ve watched hundreds of practices the past seven years. Doesn’t feel like a candy factory.

            1. Just kidding, Grant :) We don’t question your credentials except in jest.
              But hey, I have flown hundreds of times. But everytime the aircraft takes off, I gaze out of the window in wonder and am always amazed by the whole process — but my being a mechanical engineer may have something to do with it :(

        3. Grant is an english major. He doesn’t write like Hemmingway, but of course he is going to use a full arsenal of adjectives.
          Compare it to yourself having access to the U.S. Government’s cache of weapons. You are sure to fire off one or two of the 500lb bombs just because the explosion would be awe inspiring.
          When you read Grant criticizing the 49ers keep that in mind…morally offended.

      1. What makes you think the Safeties are good? I don’t see it. Tartt is frequently out of position, takes bad angles, and misses tackles. Ward is ok but he can’t stay healthy. Same for Reid. The entire secondary needs to be retooled in the offseason.

        1. Not sure about Tartt being out of position. I think the corners have been making the safeties look far worse than they are. Forcing them to cover more ground than they should.
          Additionally, it seems the coaches prefer Tartt to Reid who I’m guessing will be moving on next year.

        2. Maybe I haven’t paid enough attention to Tartt, but it seems to me that Reid was playing very well at box S. much better than Tartt. If you’re seeing Tartt taking bad angles, missing tackles and being out of position, I believe it. That’s his MO.

          1. to pour some gas on these safety complaint posts, how’s the midfield pass coverage doin’ via Coyle and RayRay??? Couldn’t possibly have bearing on safety play….or Robinson doing a bad imitation of Sherman’s blanket coverage…Sherman really got into Rashard’s head in TC….

          1. Meh. I already read those quotes. I just happen to disagree. Tartt is not without talent. I just don’t think he’s very good for the reasons I stated.

  4. First of all, they must make honest assessments. Then, they gotta play the hand dealt them. They need to make the correct plans, and prepare them for every contingency. They should implement the scheme by having the players play clean, yet aggressive. Their goal should be to play crisp, quick, efficiently, and score TDs instead of settling for FGs.
    .
    KS needs to be flexible and innovative. CJB should use deception to stay alive. He is mobile, so KS needs to play to that strength. They cannot hit what they cannot catch. Mobile pockets do not have to only be read options. Use a TE to scrape the DE so he can roll out, then the TE should pivot and run downfield to present an easy pass.
    .
    CJB should expect them to blitz him a lot. The Niners need to dial up some screens to counter the pass rush. The draws were effective, too. Instead of making Hyde stay in to block, let him move outside to give CJB a quick outlet pass target.
    .
    CJB should entice them to blitz, then attack the area the blitzer left. He should roll out away from their best pass rusher.
    .
    The best way to avoid being sacked is to run the ball. Do end arounds, reverses, fake reverses, misdirection, quick screens, fly sweeps, draws and even the statue of liberty. CJB would initiate the play, but risks little contact.
    ,
    CJB needs to be more deceptive. He needs to look off the safeties. He should practice pump fakes.
    .
    On defense, they should not play players out of position. Reid at LB was a wrong decision. They should blitz Tartt, and keep those hands in the air.
    .
    Yes, the Eagles built a team with a stout O line, good offensive weapons. and a top 10 defense. Wentz had question marks, but he has thrived in their system. How the Niners learn from other teams will determine their future. Another team they should emulate are the Seahawks.
    .
    Finding a victory is a daunting task. They must out think their opponent to win, and should not let the Eagles shape them.

  5. Yeah all we need to do is upgrade everything . To look like the eagles. Offensive line ,QB, wr. Yeah just upgrade everything .

    I want it Now ,and I wanted it 30 seconds ago .
    Really ,come on Grant .

    A little off this week .

        1. LC did that on the previous page. Got to defend his boy and Glenn Dickey from the mean and nasty commenters.

          1. I consider myself verbose, and can recognize good writing. Glen Dickey is a legend in the sports writing world, and he was a must read for me during those Glory Years. Lowell infuriated me because I worshipped BW, but he had the temerity to challenge him. In hindsight, I now see that it was a brilliant ploy of reverse psychology, and he probably gave BW huge motivation to prove him wrong.
            .
            Grant is a chip off the old block.

            1. In hindsight, I now see that it was a brilliant ploy of reverse psychology, and he probably gave BW huge motivation to prove him wrong.

              That implies he was a fan of the 49ers… something I’m guessing he and Grant would dispute. As, if I remember correctly, they believe journalists shouldn’t have rooting interests.

          2. I could not stand Dickey’s pontifications. I love the way Internet has allowed us fans to help Grant in keepin’ it real !

  6. 49ers sign Alex Smith or Cousins to a 2 yr deal next season…….

    My vote is Alex Smith …….

  7. First of all this is not a rebuild its a complete overhaul. What’s the difference one may ask? In a rebuild you use many of the same components and replace some things that are worn or not working properly. An overhaul is a complete replacement of most or all parts to include major components. A rebuild does not take long nor is it long lasting. An overhaul takes much more time to complete and finding the right parts that will mesh together that will exude quality performance that can be difficult to obtain and is quite expensive.

    The check engine light is still on in Niner land and its going to take sometime before it will go out. The staff was given a six year deal for a reason – overhauls take time.

    1. Its not a rebuild its an overhaul? lol…. pretty sure thats the same thing dude.

      o·ver·haul
      verb
      ˌōvərˈhôl/Submit
      1.
      take apart (a piece of machinery or equipment) in order to examine it and repair it if necessary.

      re·build
      rēˈbild/Submit
      verb
      1.
      build (something) again after it has been damaged or destroyed.

      In fact, I would argue this is closer to a rebuild than an overhaul.

  8. Elite is a word that gets thrown around alot..The Eagles haven’t done anything to be considered elite…only played half a season.. haven’t won a playoff game or Superbowl yet.. Let’s hold off on that…

    1. Prolly true but they have an elite record and isn’t that the only thing that matters?

      1. They have the best record true….but anything can happen between now and the end of the season..It matters today..but it might not matter tomorrow..

  9. Eagle coach, Pederson, was a UC Davis, Jim Sochor and Bill Walsh desciple.

    One of the coaches I hoped the 49ers would hire…..Fortunately, Shanahan was another Walsh desciple who just needs time…..Maybe more time than Pederson because we are still finding out if Baalke # 1 picks, Garnett and Armstead are just # 1’s wrapped in 6th round ‘fools gold’.

    There’s only 16 Baalke players left on the roster, and as far as I’m concerned, after Garnett, Armstead, Hyde and new LB, Erick Reid are traded or released, 12 Baalke players will remain.

    Shanny/Lynch are spending their 1st year evaluating and separating the wheat from the chaff, and fans are finding lots of chaff thought to be wheat.

    The Eagles did not have ‘the draft pick needs time to develop’ whisperer, Baalke choosing its players, so the 49ers are starting with less talent than Pederson did.

    This is a 4 yr. rebuild program, in a perfect world.

    1. * Sorry, I meant Chris Peterson–Ex UCD player/coach and on the Boise State team that upset # 1 Oklahoma on a statue of liberty play.

  10. The so-called Eagles blueprint is no secret. My buddy in Philly is a big Eagles fan and as recently as 2 years ago he was moaning about how Howie Roseman would screw up the personnel decisions (Roseman is a lawyer by training). The Birds have had good draft luck in a franchise QB, and hired a competent coach. Their O line is OK but looks good because the average NFL O line play is awful. This may be their year. Next year could bring a few key injuries, a few player slumps, and they’d be this year’s Raiders.

    It reminds me of Bill Walsh’s analogy of establishing a permanent base camp right below the pinnacle, and taking a stab at climbing the peak every year. The Eagles have begun building the Everest base camp — Niners have just flown into Kathmandu airport.

    1. Nice analogy in the last paragraph. Last sentence made me laugh; but I’d like to add it was a rough landing.

    2. Very nice analogy. Disagree on where the 49ers are in their journey though. Seems to me they are still doing internet searches to figure out what gear they need to pack to take on the trip. I don’t think they are anywhere near the Kathmandu airport. This team is at least 2 years away from even trying to build a base camp.

  11. Pederson took over a better team than Shanahan did. That roster had won 26 games the previous 3 seasons. The Niners had won 15 and 7 under the previous one and done HC’s. More than half the 49ers roster changed in one offseason. Think about that for a second. All these players who weren’t here last year, who had to come together and learn new systems and teammates. No QB, no elite pass rusher, poor Oline, question marks all over the roster. Anyone expecting anything other than what we’ve seen must also have bought land in the swamps of Florida at some point.

    1. That Ertz kid has really come into his own. He’s developing a HOFer resume, and Wentz is finding him on critical plays.

      1. Ertz is Wentz’s Garcon…therefore…who will take Ertz off the table — especially with Peters out– chance for pressures– if Ertz is covered/slowed/chipped and otherwise accosted like SEA DB’s/LB’s do, we might have a shot…(apologies to Grant if he covered this– haven’t read article yet.)

  12. Like I said, Grant, it can get worse. Not even your gifted ’49ers are bad’ stories can make this stuff up

    # 1. Hosting the Seahawks in front of 49er fans at Levis Stadium to eat ThanksGiving Dinner on their 50 yard line.

    And the hits keep coming: The York latest fiasco–just past Sunday vs. the Cowboys:

    Venuto’s SportsFeed‏
    @SJVst
    Replying to @annkillion
    Side note: Questionnaire first asked whether you were a Cowboys fan or a Niners fan.

    Ann Killion‏Verified account
    @annkillion
    I have a hard time imagining Eddie DeBartolo sending out that kind of a question to fans back in the day.

    michael riccomi‏ @MRiccomi 20h20 hours ago
    The York family needs to sell the the team and move them out of that crap hole and back to San Francisco.

    Janice Hough‏ @leftcoastbabe 20h20 hours ago
    Replying to @annkillion
    Eddie D had many faults. Fielding an abysmal team wasn’t one of them.

  13. I also have to fully disagree with Grant’s point in the previous post about the team’s “awful effort” against the Cowboys. I thought the team played hard but were utterly over-matched. I did not see any other analyst observe that the Niners lacked effort.

  14. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/10/26/eric-reid-agrees-to-position-change-despite-no-long-term-assurance/

    Do you guys think that this very open, noncommittal attitude that the team has towards the vets is a good thing, bad thing or doesn’t have much effect. I’m not sure myself, but Shanahan and the FO do seem to be brutally honest and I just wonder if that impacts the vets performance. If not now, I could see this becoming a bigger issue for the vets as the season draws to a close.

  15. Do you guys think that this very open, noncommittal attitude that the team has towards the vets is a good thing, bad thing or doesn’t have much effect. I’m not sure myself, but Shanahan and the FO do seem to be brutally honest and I just wonder if that impacts the vets performance. If not now, I could see this becoming a bigger issue for the vets as the season draws to a close.

    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/10/26/eric-reid-agrees-to-position-change-despite-no-long-term-assurance/

    1. I see this being a problem for bringing others in. When you simply move people around like this it may sour them on the commitment they have to work with you! Shanahan had a different relationship with players before. Now he is at the top and it can be a lonelier place when you have to make tough decisions.

    2. I think the non-committal attitude is something we will see less of in the future as the team emerges from full blown rebuild and as the vets on the team become guys that Lynch and Shanahan have brought in and have more of a vested interest in.

Comments are closed.