Greg Roman: “If it’s single coverage across the board, you want to find your best matchup.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.

“Good afternoon. Getting ready to play a division opponent, Arizona Cardinals. Very good defense, I think we all knew that. We’re used to playing them, obviously, twice a year. They’ve had some little personal situations this season, but nothing really appears different on film. As you watch the tape, very aggressive, physical defense led up front by [Arizona DT] Calais Campbell. They got a couple guys rolling through there that’ve done a very nice job. [Arizona LB Matt] Shaughnessy and possibly [Arizona DE John] Abraham on one edge, if not [Arizona LB Sam] Acho, and then [Arizona DT] Dan Williams, [Arizona DT] Ta’amu [Alameda], [Arizona DE Frostee] Rucker, [Arizona DE Tommy] Kelly, they got a nice rotation rolling through there. The guy that’s really made the most impact for them is No. 50, [Arizona LB Larry] Foote. He has made a lot of impact plays, a lot of TFLs. He looks just like he did in Pittsburgh making plays. Very impressive. Backend led by their corners, [Arizona CB] Patrick Peterson, and they brought [Arizona CB Antonio] Cromartie in, so, they got a nice tandem back there. The safeties, [Arizona S Tony] Jefferson and [Arizona S Rashad] Johnson, and then [Arizona S Tyrann] Mathieu showed up for about five snaps in the last game. They’re a very good defense, very good scheme, good players. We’re excited for the challenge. Any questions?”

How big of a load is Campbell to block?
“He’s one of the more underrated players in the league. We felt that way for a while. He tips a lot of balls. He’s 6-foot-8. He plays the run very well. He pushes the pocket very well, as does their whole defense. Just a very good player and a lot of respect for him.”

Is that’s what’s allowing Foote to play so well? He’s got those guys in front of him and he’s picking the right spots to hit?
“That’s a good way to characterize it. I’d say, even looking back to last year, those three inside guys did such a good job at freeing up their two inside players. I don’t think that’s changed one bit. And then Foote’s got an uncanny knack for hitting the right gap at the right time. I think we’ve both seen that over the years. Credit to them, their scheme, and got a lot of respect for them.”

How would you assess how T Jonathan Martin’s played through the first two games?
“Jonathan’s played good. There’s been some plays. There was one play in the last game where the communication wasn’t clean, wasn’t quite sure of the call. But beyond that, I think he’s done a very solid job.”

Was there ever any thought given to bumping G/T Alex Boone outside and having G Joe Looney and G Mike Iupati as the guards?
“Yeah, I mean, all those scenarios, [CSNBayArea.com writer] Matt [Maiocco], were discussed. We went with the scenario we did.”

Why?
“Just felt it gave us the best chance to win.”

How do you think Boone played in his first game?
“He did good, he did good. Got to work on the pad level, but he did good. It was good to have him back out there. He had some really good moments. First game back, really expect he to ascend the rest of the way.”

You guys have had trouble scoring in the second half of these first two games. Do you go back and find a common thread as to why? Or do you find yourself second guessing play calls, trying to figure out what can change for this game?
“That’s the bottom line. I don’t think we’ve scored much in the second half. Like anything else, we go back and look at it very specifically, in-and-of itself. We just got to do a better job of finishing in the end zone, really. You can’t turn the football over, because you have no chance of scoring when that happens.”

On that last interception by QB Colin Kaepernick, was the mistake not throwing the ball sooner to TE Derek Carrier? Should he have gotten that ball sooner?
“You’d like to have thrown that, put it on him. Just is one of those things. I think the intent was proper. Just would’ve liked to put it on him.”

What have you seen from Carrier since he’s been here?
“Derek’s done a nice job. He is definitely an ascending player. There’s definitely things he needs to work on, but he’s done a nice job. Has a good feel for the passing game, has really improved his blocking in this preseason. That was the number one thing that I’ve been most pleased with. Any time you’re transitioning a pass-receiving type of player in college to a tight end is getting them fundamentally sound. He’s done a really nice job this year up to this point.”

When you say a good feel for the passing game, are you talking about finding soft spots?
“Yeah, using body position, feeling what’s around him in zones, understanding man and zone, working the route versus man. Again, body position at the point of the catch, shielding the defender, just all those little things. Where to sit, how to setup a defender, that kind of stuff, he’s pretty good at.”

He doesn’t have a lot of experience with Colin. Is that something that they’re working on, something that’s being stressed this week?
“Carrier?”

Yeah, Carrier and Colin.
“Every week. Every week they work together and get on the same page.”

There are a few players that talked about needing to keep the foot on the gas, accelerator or to finish better. Do you think that’s more of a strategy thing or an execution thing?
“It all comes down to execution when it’s all said and done. It doesn’t matter what play you run. If we don’t execute it, it won’t be successful. Striving for better execution at all times. That’s timeless.”

What have you seen from WR Stevie Johnson the last few weeks to earn that number three roll in the offense?
“I wouldn’t call it a number three role. I think that’s fluid. I think Stevie’s done a good job. I think he brings a lot to the table from a skill-set standpoint. I think it will just continue to ascend as the year goes on as we work more together. He’s done a nice job so far. Just got to keep the arrow up.”

When you said fluid, you mean he hasn’t won it? It could be a number of different guys?
“Yeah, we don’t really put numbers on them. I know everybody else likes too, but we really don’t. But he’s definitely one of our top receivers.”

WR Bruce Ellington’s in that mix, too. Do you want to get the ball in his hands more or is it just right now you just want to ease him into the NFL?
“Well, I think definitely getting him some touches is a good thing. We’ll just see how it goes. Getting the ball in his hands is a good thing.”

What’s your stance on language fouls, language penalties?
“Whatever the rules are, just follow the rules. It’s good to understand the rules and then follow the rules.”

Do you think that that’s something that’s hard to do on an NFL field?
“It’s an adjustment, probably, but you’ve got to adjust. That’s my stance. Whatever the rules are, you try to follow the rules.”

Do you think there are times when Colin looks to WR Michael Crabtree too much on some of those high-profile plays late in games? Does he lock onto him too much and not give, maybe spread it to TE Vernon Davis or WR Anquan Boldin as much as he should?
“No, I don’t think so. I think he needs to throw the ball to the appropriate place. And if it’s single coverage across the board, you want to find your best matchup. The different routes people run might have different leverage. For example, if it’s man coverage and everybody has outside technique, you’re probably going to try to work to the route that’s breaking in. If they have inside technique, you probably want to work to the route that’s breaking out. So, it’s not only ‘who’, but it’s ‘what’.”

You guys had some penalty issues last year around this time early in the season. It’s not just the offense. You guys kind of got over that over time and limited the penalties. Does that sort of give you confidence that that can happen again this year?
“The thing that gives me confidence is the guys we have in the offensive room and really on the team. These guys are standup guys. They want to win. Do all the things that it takes to win. Willing to put the time in to make the commitment. That’s the number one thing you’ve got to have. You’ve got to have guys that are committed to doing those things, all the little things. If you have guys that aren’t then that’s a real, real problem, and will continue to be. That’s what gives me confidence is just the men we have.”

This article has 181 Comments

  1. Roman may be getting out coached in the 2nd half. No halftime adjustments and teams outscoring them …

    1. @Hammer,

      You’re missing the obvious here.

      The last 2 games in the 2nd half have been Train Wrecks with 3 Picks by Kaep & numerous penalties with the help of the Refs on some of those in favor of the 49ers opponents.

  2. Why didn’t someone ask the most important question of this season? What coverage was Chicago in on the 49ers last play?

    1. @htwaits,

      Excellent question!

      Grant is sooooo Brave & Righteous when hiding behind his computer but when it comes down to firing that question in a “Live” Press Conference he seemed to have shrunk?

  3. If it’s the wrong play called at the wrong time, I’m not sure perfect execution is going to be successful….

    1. Sure it will. Because that will mean one guy threw it, the other guy caught it, that guy ran with it and scored. That’s successful execution of the play.

    2. Agree Razor, it’s chess right? I don’t think he’s that naïve, but basically he’s saying we should be able to run whatever play regardless of how the D is going to line up or has shown in certain situations.

      1. G. Ro is an idiot! I believe in due process but I think in this regard it’ll take a lynch mob to remove him.

  4. I woulda asked him …
    “… why not go 3 and 4 WR sets once in awhile..?
    (it’s not like you don’t have the talent !) ..

    I thought with all the bodies in the receiver corral ..
    it would be a no-brainer

      1. False. He is a rock star. Rock stars are not students of the game. They get all tattooed up, hang out in hotels and get accused of bad things. They don’t study, they think they are bigger than the game.
        Rock stars are not great quarterbacks.

        1. I’m sure Broadway Joe Namath was a rock star as well. Tattoos have nothing to do with how you play football. It’s just a wack a** stereotype

    1. kaeps already elite. He needs G.Ro and harbaugh to stop crawling up his ass. They run a constipated offshoot of the westcoast offense.

      1. I think you need to win a championship before you get labelled elite. Don’t hand that word out like Halloween candy

          1. Or how about this guy;
            trick or treat!
            Who are you supposed to be?
            Trent Dilfor.
            Who?
            You know the guy who won a super bowl.
            Never heard of you, get off my porch!

            Not every SB winning QB will reach elite or celebrity status, just ask Dilfor who was released sometime after the SB.

    1. Of course tmz says that. The reports I’ve read it clearly stated that nobody was identified.
      Sleazy tabloid mag, or local sports station?? Hmmmm

        1. tmz and pft are cut from the same cloth. Florio is a total and complete arrogant, elitist, delta bravo (aedb). He’s such a freaking tool. PFT reflects that. It’s a rumor and opinion site and should never be confused with real news.

          1. I’m sure there is some truth to it. I’m also sure this is going to be the beginning of the end. I highly doubt charges will be filed.

    2. Wait. *She* pulls the gun and *he* had to threaten to call 911?

      Based on complete baseless speculation (as Grant and rest of the crap media are doing), I’d put forth it’s McDonald who’s acting in self-defense.

      BTW Ray, lose the gun. In an unstable household such as yours, no good can come from having it around.

      1. One of the problem’s with the national perception on DV is that it has been shaped by the narrative of innocent victim spouse/partner. And while this narrative pertains for more DV cases than any other narrative, and is the most compelling, it is not the only narrative. Many DV cases involve mutual and/or reciprocal violence.

        The issue of mutual violence/volatile relationship dynamics is one of the reasons that many states have started sending first time DV offenders to problem solving courts/alternative sentencing courts. There are data that suggests that education and counseling are more effective in reducing recidivism among first time offenders than jail time is, especially if both spouses/partners participate in the process.

        The issue courts struggle with is determining which partner is the primary aggressor, or even if either partner can be labeled as such. When I read the news report at issue, I saw at least three possible scenarios for the gun incident: the female involved was the aggressor; the male and the female were mutual aggressors and the female took it to a level with which the male was uncomfortable; or the female felt threatened to the point of procuring a weapon. There are, of course, other possible scenarios, but one of these three seem the most likely to me.

        However, even thought I can make an educated guess with respect to what I find to be the most likely scenarios, I cannot, absence evidence, determine which of those is more likely than the others. All three are quite common and all three seem equally possible given what little information we have. This is why it is dangerous to speculate on what happened when so little is known (and I am not calling you out Rib – I know your comment was tongue-in-cheek; I am more addressing those who will interpret this through their own prism and think they KNOW what happened).

        1. JPN, Thanks, as always, for your informative and reasoned insight. We may never know the full story of this or the current outstanding incident. Especially if charges are never brought forward (has Ray’s fiancée given indication she wants to press charges?)

          1. Ribico,

            The victim does not have to press charges. Whether to bring charges is always up to the state. However, as a practical matter prosecutors are often reluctant to bring cases that depend mainly on the testimony of a single witness when that witness is reluctant to testify unless the prosecution has compelling evidence otherwise.

            This is actually what surprised me about the Ray Rice issues, specifically why the prosecutor’s office agreed to diversion. The elevator video is compelling evidence even if the victim was reluctant to testify, so the prosecution could have proceeded. I have wondered if there might have been an issue in how law enforcement obtained the video. One possible reason to dispose of a case that looks otherwise winnable is if a necessary piece of evidence may be excluded.

        2. Two corrections to the above:

          In the first paragraph, “problem’s” should be “problems” – not sure how that stray apostrophe snuck in there.

          “absence evidence” in the last paragraph should be “absent evidence”. I think posted this one with inadequate proofing.

          1. You have no idea what you are talking about. How can one person be so misinformed about so many subjects?

              1. I’m in legal and litigation’s my thing. He’s not an attorney — he doesn’t even talk like an attorney.

              2. I honestly don’t give two hoots whether JPN is an attorney or not. He’s clearly the most knowledgeable person on this blog regarding legal matters, which he has proven numerous times.

              3. “In legal?” I know both attorneys and paralegals and never heard any of them describe what they do for a living like that. Fraud! Again!

              4. I’m in legal and litigation’s my thing.

                Said no one who has ever practiced law.

                He’s not an attorney — he doesn’t even talk like an attorney.

                JPN writes very much like most attorneys I know. You, on the hand, write like someone who watches legal dramas on TV and thinks they offer accurate portrayals of lawyers and the practice of law.

            1. Claude, because this all intentional. Making provocative and irrational statements are the surest sign of a “real” internet troll. Believe me, Marty knows exactly what he is doing because he has done it plenty of times before on other blogs. Choosing a female name was done by design to make his infiltration onto this blog a bit easier, probably because of the amount of gushing that goes on when a known female 49er fan makes comments here.

              1. Spaceborn:

                What bothers me is how Grant welcomed him to the blog and encouraged him to comment as much as he liked. Isn’t that like inviting a vampire into your home?

              2. Claude, I found Grant’s invitation and subsequent protectiveness quite amusing. He was fooled, obviously, yet declined to do an IP address check as he had done on other trolls to see if Marty, in fact, lived in Seattle after he lied about having a son that worked for the 49ers organization. And, yes, now we have a resident vampire. Thanks, Grant.

              3. >>JPN001 – You’re not an attorney and you definitely don’t know criminal law.

                >>I’ve never seen a group of people more afraid of differing opinions.

                So tell us, Ms. Law. You do know the difference between an opinion and a definitive statement, don’t you? Would you care dig into your obvious vast legal training and tell the panel here which of the above is which?

          2. Mary, I assure you that I am an attorney. I am not a criminal law expert, but I have taught it to police officers and paralegals. I welcome your explanation of what is wrong with the above statement.

            1. I am even willing to submit my bar# to a disinterested third party, Grant perhaps, if you are willing to submit your credentials as well.

              1. So you’re not a litigator and you don’t have trial experience, do I have that right? That was my main point.

              2. I have trial experience, so the answer is:

                No, you do not have it right.

                I do welcome your insight, however. Can you please provide me with clarification as to which point or points I have made in this thread that is or are incorrect?

              3. Oh, and I am curious — do you primarily work in civil or criminal litigation? While it is not inappropriate to refer to criminal law matters as litigation, is not all that common either. I cannot recall the last time I heard a primarily criminal defense attorney refer to himself or herself as a litigator or to criminal trials as litigation, and I know I have never heard a prosecutor do such.

              4. That is a vague answer. Anyone employed at a law firm can assist on a case. In what capacity do you have trial experience? Partner, associate, consultant?

              5. We will have to disagree that my answer was vague. You proposed that I did not have “trial experience” and I replied that I did, using the term you used. The answer was in direct reply to and commensurate detail with the question.

                In answer to your expanded question, I was an associate. I represented clients in matters before general jurisdiction courts, limited jurisdiction courts, and administrative tribunals. I have served as both second and first chair, but mainly I solely represented clients at trial. Other than representing clients in a couple of civil matters, in the last five and three-quarter years I have been a full-time educator, specifically with respect to continuing legal and judicial education.

                Now, I have been patient and polite with a person who, at the very least, implied I am a lair. I have provided answers to your inquiries. I have evinced a willingness to provide supporting credentials (if Grant is not acceptable as a disinterested third party, I would be willing to talk to your supervising attorney). You, however, have not seen fit to reciprocate regarding information I have requested. So, I will make the following request for a third time:

                Please advise me as to the incorrect point or points I have made in this thread.

              6. Mary:

                You might want to think about apologizing to JPN.

                Or you can keep digging deeper into that hole. It’s fun to watch you make a complete a$$ out of yourself. And thanks for verifying what I wrote earlier. You don’t know what you are talking about.

  5. G.Ro needs to be shown the door. His philosophy is antiquated and his response in regards to his approach is telling. How can someone improve if they’re unwilling to admit they made a mistake? he continually falls back onto his criticism of execution without questioning the play calling, spacing between carrier & crabtree, kaepernick telegraphing his intent prior to the snap, lack of killer instinct, etc..He loves to micromanage the game from his ivory tower in the booth and that sort of hubris takes away the extemporaneous fluidity and impromptu decision making from the QB position. His arrogance is astounding! What sort of Coordinator risks the health of his quarterback for the sake of spreading the defense out wide and inhibiting them from crowding the box? He’s put the million dollar arm of the franchise at risk and he needs to be canned immediately! Harbaugh & G.Ro subscribe to an archaic, stubborn variety of football that dates back to their Midwest roots. The bayarea deserves an avantegarde coach who’s constantly evolving his X’s & O’s ala Pete Carrol. Carrol derives more outta his team albeit a less talented roster. He has a feel for the game akin to a comedian with apropos timing. You can’t win in this league playing not to lose, you have to go for the jugular! We’ll always be stalled at the brink and end up “just not good enough” with this kind of philosophy. Harbaugh & Co. collective belief system is corrosive to a teams DNA and permeates every morsel of the institution.

  6. Lovie Smith is learning that Josh McCown really is just a decent backup that looked good in relief duty last year.

    1. The double whammy is that not only should Lovie have known better given McCown’s previous 9 years of total mediocrity but he has a better QB in Glennon already. Pure arrogance that he simply didn’t want to coach someone else’s QB.

      1. I agree. If he didn’t want Glennon he should have traded him and drafted a QB early this year. Signing McCown made some sense, but he should always have been viewed as a bridging QB.

  7. 28-0 with almost a full second quarter left. It’s like watching the 2nd half of our game in one quarter.

    1. G.Ro needs to be shown the door. His philosophy is antiquated and his response in regards to his approach is telling. How can someone improve if they’re unwilling to admit they made a mistake? he continually falls back onto his criticism of execution without questioning the play calling, spacing between carrier & crabtree, kaepernick telegraphing his intent prior to the snap, lack of killer instinct, etc..He loves to micromanage the game from his ivory tower in the booth and that sort of hubris takes away the extemporaneous fluidity and impromptu decision making from the QB position. His arrogance is astounding! What sort of Coordinator risks the health of his quarterback for the sake of spreading the defense out wide and inhibiting them from crowding the box? He’s put the million dollar arm of the franchise at risk and he needs to be canned immediately! Harbaugh & G.Ro subscribe to an archaic, stubborn variety of football that dates back to their Midwest roots. The bayarea deserves an avantegarde coach who’s constantly evolving his X’s & O’s ala Pete Carrol. Carrol derives more outta his team albeit a less talented roster. He has a feel for the game akin to a comedian with apropos timing. You can’t win in this league playing not to lose, you have to go for the jugular! We’ll always be stalled at the brink and end up “just not good enough” with this kind of philosophy. Harbaugh & Co. collective belief system is corrosive to a teams DNA and permeates every morsel of the institution.

  8. WTF?? TB had awesome helmets before…..The helmet looks stupid now! LAME LOGO….TOO BIG!!! STUPID!!!

    1. I agree. Maybe the legally blind community out there marched for bigger logo’. They look horrible. They easily had a top 5 uni in the league. Until now.

    1. Sure the players have to own the fact that they shut down and quit in the second quarter but what kind of coaching job is Smith doing if players are willing to just walk away from a game like this.

    2. Crabs.. MidWest, and Scooter …

      Sure .. their uniforms look bad ..(now) … but
      still … not as bad as the pumpkin-colored
      ones they used to wear …

      I can’t believe someone actually got paid to design
      that one …

      Kinda reminds me of the Sacto Gold Miners
      and Sacto Surge uniforms of yore !

  9. I hope Harb and Roman see this…Thats called keeping your foot on the gas! Atlanta up by 25 and they still were taking shots down the field…We get up by 10 and we just run run run…..god its frustrating!

        1. His neighbor isn’t playing at the pro bowl caliber level either, lately.
          Big task for those two this Sunday.

  10. Over/Under for Bruce Ellington touches?

    The question is relevant because Andre will get 15+ and Josh Brown will get 5+ targets. Meanwhile, Brandin Cooks and Kelvin Benjamin are already staples of their offenses. Can Roman utilize speed? Can he trust rookies? Is there a bubble screen, jet sweep, or double reverse anywhere to be seen?

    In fact, No, forget it. Let’s just waive Bruce Ellington and cut the suspense.

      1. You do realize that you’re comparing first round picks to a fourth round pick? And it also should be no surprise with how many touches Ellington has or will get this year given the depth at the WR position.

        1. Ellington has tools that no other wr on our team has. He showed speed, quickness and explosiveness in preseason that no other wr did. These are the reason he deserves touches. When he was drafted has nothing to do with it.

      2. I do see he is getting more touches and playing time but we never put LMJ in a position to succeed – open space. I know it’s the beginning of the season and I hope they find creative ways to get him the ball in space. If they fail to do that essentially they just drafted a better punt returner.

  11. In would love to ask two questions.
    One for harbaugh…
    What’s your take on atl not letting their foot off the pedal and having their second stringers finish the game?

    Second is for Goldson…..
    How’s that big bank roll treating you?

  12. Greg Roman –

    Do you think there are times when Colin looks to WR Michael Crabtree too much on some of those high-profile plays late in games? Does he lock onto him too much and not give, maybe spread it to TE Vernon Davis or WR Anquan Boldin as much as he should?
    “No, I don’t think so. I think he needs to throw the ball to the appropriate place. And if it’s single coverage across the board, you want to find your best matchup. The different routes people run might have different leverage.”

    Disgruntled Poster –

    It’s nice to adapt to a favorable position, but you need as a whole to create their positions. How? By your creative play calling. If you are passing to two receivers, and occasionally get in a TE/Slot/3rdReceiver, you are failing. You should include your RB’s too. All those routes and shorter passes expand the coverages of the defense and enhance the field you can throw to. Spread the field, get some dink passes and short router’s going. Then, those downfield interception lanes never happen. It’s all on you. You have failed in your basic philosophy ever since you’ve been here. You have to change or else all the words of your interview which are too general or unimportant; will keep your team offense in mediocrity or less.

    1. So freaky that you wrote this. I penned this last night finished it this morning. #onthesamepage

  13. An open letter to Greg Roman:

    When Harbaugh was hired the local fan base was excited. We were rre-energized. We were optomistic. I specifically remember listening to Jim in one interview. He touched on time that he spent with Bill Walsh. He touched on his offense and how it had elements of the west coast offense. I’d like to know which elements because I don’t see them.

    Mr. Roman your offense is bland. There is no philosophy and there is no identify. It is an offense that 100% on a power running attack that no longer exists. You do not have the offensive line to pull it off. A good offensive mind calls a game plan based on the strengths of his team. As a fan I’ve lost confidence in your ability to do that.

    Going back to the west coast offense, where are the slants, where are the sweeps, drag routes? Fly sweeps? Wr screens? Rb screens? Passes to Rb in general? Where is the occasional vertical pass if for any other purpose than to keep the defense honest. We have the slowest Wr group in all of football and drafted Ellington to improve that element of our offense, yet he can’t get on the field. Why?

    As a fan base we come across as spoiled to complain given our recent success. However we have gone out and acquired fancy new toys and it really seems like you don’t know how to utilize them.

    The 49ers have not given Harbaugh an extension. I’m beginning to think that they know what they are doing…..

    1. I know rite bay..The fourth yr of the Harbaugh era..and the same issues are still plaguing us..Red zone problems..scoring problems..playcalling….inability to hold teams off..Every game seems like a dog fight..This is stressful as fan..

    2. Good read Bay…
      My problem is I like coach Harbaugh. I believe he’s done a good enough job to have won at least 2 superbowls now. Some other factors like players turnovers and penalties and calls may have hurt a Super Bowl win. Also the redzone calls and execution could be blamed too. The nfl elites are so closely matched that it basically does take a little more luck than the other team. We haven’t been that lucky team. Anyhow what worries me is, if we don’t resign him we better get someone with equal coaching skills. He came in and we went from a joke to contenders. Who is out there that can match his success? I hope they could find somebody, because it would be a shame to beer get the OG’s like Willis, staley, Davis, and gore no title.

        1. @ Bay and Niner md

          Man! It almost hurts to agree with the two of you, but you’re beginning to sound like OREGONINER

      1. That’s what concerns me the most. People are calling for his head but who will replace him? Will they get us to the NCFCCG 3x in a row? Will the get us back to the Super Bowl? Will we win it? I don’t think there’s a sure fire coach. We all want to win the big one, but let’s not fool ourselves thinking it’s supposed to be a walk in the park.

        1. Yeah I hear ya ky…fearing the unknown and all..But he should have already won a superbowl or two…His games always come down to mistakes..and nailbiters…Can never seem to put em away…his conservatism and stubbornness is killing me.So if he can’t win it all this yr or next..it isn’t gonna happen…Mark my words…September 19..2014….

    3. During the first 1 and a half the Niners had an identity, power running and were creative with throwing the ball to different people, like Staley. Remember? The Niners were very inventive with 8 or nine lineman.

      For the most part the Niner offense was efficient. Ate up the clock, had sustained drives, rested the defense.

      Now the offense features the read option, and the big play ability of CK.

      It takes time and accuracy to run the bubble screens and screen passes, something that CK still needs to work on. I miss the angle routes to the backs out of the back field. Throwing to the back is the 3rd option, so if the QB is struggling to get through reads 1 and 2, we’re not going to see that throw.

      1. Fan what big play capability are you talking about? The 49ers have sacrificed game management and fundamental play for this big play/passing offense. Well like FDM said, if the horses don’t match the wagon, you have issues.
        The personnel does not jive with the system. Why? Cause the QB does not have the skill set or mindset to play within it. Too erratic and not mature enough. Can’t wait to hear someone say be patient, growing pains.Pffffff!!!!

    4. Just another lame a$$ fan trying to rekindle the glory days of years past. When will people learn this is a new era of 49ers football. There is no west coast offense because wait for it, this personnel assembled through the draft and free agency does not coincide with that offensive system and philosophy.
      Do you see the Redskins running the same offense as Joe Gibbs once did? How about the Cowboys when Tom Landry and or Jimmy Johnson was there?

      People need to realize that what was once successful in the NFL decades ago does not have a chance to work as the game has evolved ten folds. Maybe your thinking should get up to speed to 2014.

  14. As a fan base we come across as spoiled to complain given our recent success.

    I take it back. You’re not completely self-unaware.

    1. Clod,
      One of my favorite SNL episodes is called, ” cork soakers”. I have a hard time determining who’s the best cork soaker on this blog, you or FDM or Prime. Something tells me you would all be very good.

      1. At least we don’t complain about the offense being too “bland”. You have once again shown that you are all about form over substance. In three years under Harbaugh, the 49ers have gone 13-3, 11-4-1 and 12-4 and has reached the NFCCG three times and the Super Bowl once.

        And you think it would be a good idea to let him go.

        I don’t know how well you can soak corks, but you have demonstrated an amazing ability to type with your head stuck up your a$$.

        Here, you might want to use this as your new avatar:

        https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2103/2251155626_63d7c82709.jpg

      1. Craziest sh*t I’ve read in a long while!
        .
        How does a multi-billion dollar brand get tax-exempt status???
        .
        Oh wait…I forgot…REPUBLICANS.
        .
        Lost my sense of reality there for a moment…
        .
        .
        .
        ~ALOHA~

        1. Considering it has been this way since 1966, and given that the Democrats controlled both houses of congress and the White House at that time, I think your condemnation is misplaced. However, if we further consider who was POTUS at that time, we can raise or fists an yell, “TEXANS” and at least have a somewhat accurate target for or impotent rage.

            1. And I did it twice with ‘our’, not to mention I forgot the ‘d’ on ‘and’ in the same sentence. I think I am going to blame my keyboard. Obviously certain letters are sticking. Either that, or I can blame it on Texans. I lived in Texas for a few years, and I can assure you that someway, somehow, Texans are to blame for everything bad in the world (just kidding, Houston).

              1. I was actually just teasing with the Republicans comment…but thanks for the insight into our severely broken tax code.
                .
                Here’s hoping they cut off their nonprofit status and make them pay their fair share.
                .
                The extra $10 mil should do some good somewhere, I’d imagine.
                .
                It’s not as if they can’t afford it…
                .
                .
                .
                ~ALOHA~

              2. I rather thought you were, KauaiRobert, which is why I blamed Texans (i.e. Lyndon Johnson) as a bit of fun. Evidently, Johnson did not really care for football. But being from Texas, he had to support Texas football, and did so even as president. I doubt he cared at all about what the NFL and AFL did when they merged. Of course, they were far from billion dollar industries then.

        2. I’m laughing because people still think there is a difference in democrats an republicans.
          But that’s not my business, says a frog sippin tea. :-)

    1. Yes, it is included with business leagues. The relevant section of the federal tax code (501(c)(6)) specifically includes professional football leagues:

      “Business leagues, chambers of commerce, real-estate boards, boards of trade, or professional football leagues (whether or not administering a pension fund for football players), not organized for profit and no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.”

      For a nice explanation, see this January 2014 article from Forbes:

      http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomwatson/2014/01/30/the-real-super-bowl-question-should-the-nfl-be-a-nonprofit/

    1. 1) Can the 49ers cut back on the penalties?

      2) Can Michael Crabtree continue his dominance of Patrick Peterson? (Overrated)

      3) Who starts at QB for Arizona? If it’s Stanton can they take advantage of him?

      4) Can the offensive line hold up against the Cardinals front 7?

      5) How will the Dwyer arrest effect the Cardinals?

      1. Can I add the question….

        Will Vernon Davis play and continue his dominance over Arizona? And if not can Celek…. Arz has the worst defense vs tight ends in the league for te past 2 years I believe.

        1. Uhhggg sick to my stomach thinking about that match up. I’m thinking gotta go heavy coverage. They’re running game Ian to scary. Maybe we will go blitz crazy to rattle the youngster back there.

        2. Yep, how they play the slot WR is definitely worth keeping an eye on this week. Outside of the red zone Ward held up pretty well against the Bears. In the red zone they may need to rethink how they handle those big WRs.

      2. I myself am wondering if the pass rush will finally show up or continue to be in siesta mode.

  15. Always Midwest with the unwarranted condescension.

    “You do realize” Joe Montana was a 3rd rounder and Tom Brady a 6th rounder; you do realize Darren Sproles was a 4th rounder; you do realize Andre Ellington was a 6th rounder.

    The comparisons to Cooks and Benjamin are apt because other teams are incorporating rookie talent. The mention of Andre is apt because he has exploded onto the scene in Arizona, and Bruce is considered the better athlete among cousins. The question posed to Roman is apt because Ellington is a guy who resembles the LMJ in some ways, but who is much stronger and apparently more durable.

    The Niners do not have another player like Ellington; they should not view him as a #3 or #4 WR. No, he should be used as an offensive weapon and lined up everywhere to create mismatches with his elusiveness and quickness.

    1. “You do realize” Joe Montana was a 3rd rounder and Tom Brady a 6th rounder; you do realize Darren Sproles was a 4th rounder; you do realize Andre Ellington was a 6th rounder.

      Was each one a starter from day one of their rookie season?

      The Niners do not have another player like Ellington; they should not view him as a #3 or #4 WR.

      No, but they have WRs like Crabtree, Boldin, and Johnson that are ahead of him on the depth chart.

      The comparisons to Cooks and Benjamin are apt because other teams are incorporating rookie talent.

      No they aren’t and it’s because of the system or depth chart on each team. The Saints are primarily a pass – first team, so it makes sense that they play their first round WR. The Panthers essentially emptied out their WR cupboard at the end of last season which means that Benjamin was all but guaranteed to be a starter. Meanwhile, Ellington was drafted by a run – first team with Crabtree and Boldin firmly entrenched as the starters and that had also traded for Johnson during the draft. Of the three, Ellington clearly has the more difficult challenge getting playing time given the system and WR corps that he is in.

    2. I find it interesting that so many people are saying Ellington needs to become a “staple” of the 49ers offense. Sure, they could get him on the field for a few snaps a game to mix things up, but a staple? He’s inexperienced, and you have to keep in mind that his play in preseason was against backups, and guys that aren’t even on rosters anymore. He hasn’t proven anything yet.

      He’s a 4th round guy that never dedicated himself to football while in college. He’s got a learning curve. He has 4 WRs ahead of him that have surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in a season. These are experienced and successful WRs he is competing with for playing time. He may well get more involved as the season progresses, but getting riled up about not having him as a big part of the offense right now seems just a wee bit ridiculous to me.

  16. NFL Players are Violent Monsters

    Back in 2005, I was at a party at the pool of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. In attendance were several NFL players, including “Chunky Soup”, aka Terrell Davis. TD was on some sort of controlled substance, and in his delirium, he took offense to being treated as a normal citizen by the Hotel Security Team.

    The roster of the bouncers and security at the hotel resembled in size and body type the roster of the 1990s Dallas Cowboys, enormous, tall, thick guys that would lead you to believe you stepped into the pages of a comic book. These were 6 of the most physically imposing people I had ever seen.

    I personally witnessed TD get into an altercation with the lot of them, and by the end of it, 4 were taken to the hospital on stretchers. TD was still raging at the end of it, seemingly unaffected by his own conduct.

    Has anybody on here ever heard this story? I wouldn’t think so, but it’s 100% true. Of course, this was before the days of YouTube and streaming camera phone video, but as far as I know, TD was never publicized in this brutal assault.

    A lot of people involved in the NFL like to believe that the “increased revenue and popularity” of the game is due to innovations dreamt up by Roger Goodell. I say hogwash, and offer instead that the game’s increased visibility is due to increased bandwidth of both cable and mobile broadcasts (how many on here use their phones to comment?).

    Roger Goodell is a chimp, a chimp taking in $44M per year. He takes the credit and the financial windfall for the increased visibility of the game, but he steadfastly refuses to accept responsibility for the now-tarnished image of the Shield.

    If mobile devices had been as ubiquitous in 2005 as they are today, you would never see Chunky Soup on NFL Network today; his violent assault and battery, while under the influence of mind-bending controlled substances, would have landed him in jail, and all over the news channels.

    Roger Goodell is inept. He has sailed on the wind of a technology boom, but failed to anticipate that this negative publicity would come to pass. There’s no way he can control the behavior of all the league’s players, owners, and executives, but he has most certainly failed to set an adequate policy of deterrence; and for that, he must go.

    The NFL’s next commissioner needs to take a firm stand against all evils, and set guidelines that make it crystal clear that first offenses will result in immediate lifetime banishment.

    Football players are role models, whether we like it or not, and some ascend to the iconic. There is so much positive energy that could be gleaned from a nurturing and caring, nurtured and cared for, NFL. There are already so many instances of positive role models, and it’s incumbent on the next commissioner to ensure that the spotlight shines on them.

  17. After some thought, I am no longer going by Mr. Everything (or E) or by Mr. Nothing (or N).

    Today’s NFL requires a new moniker. I am now “Quickstrike Misogynist”,

    aka
    N
    E
    Neanderthal Offense
    Porkbun Luncheon
    Johnny Christo

    Here’s to a rip-roaring good season!!!

  18. 1) Yes
    2) Yes
    3) Doesn’t matter if they can’t get pressure
    4) Good question
    5) It definitely puts them in a bind depth wise

    1) Can Roman get creative in the Red Zone?

    2) Is this the game we see more Lynch than Lemonier?

    3) Does Kaepernick stop running with the injury?

    4) Will we see more power running up the gut with Gore/Hyde?

    5) Can Kaepernick step up and deliver the right read in the pocket before prematurely bailing?

    1. I don’t see why it would matter if it was Rice, Roger is already the league’s bitch what’s one versus another?

      1. MW: Bingo! What can I say, he’s got a small dick complex. And women do make comments like this, Ghost.

        1. Ever walk funny Mary?
          Nope. And we know why.
          I’m married! And you’re probably Gross. Keep your “needs” for your redtube account. You’re bringing up sex more than anyone else has. It’s football.

      2. Nobody trumps a Seahak wanna be on a 49er page. Especially one who was ran off a year ago under the name DS and claimed to be an out of this world alien. Now it’s a double posting troll with a bum engine in its spaceship.

    1. Claude: Try to stay up to speed. I posted that he was going down during his speech. The NFL can’t police itself. And the FBI guy they hired to clean up everything internally, well guess what, he works for a law firm that’s a client of the NFL. You people have you’re head in the sand and I said it all along.

      Now will see if McDonald plays this week.

  19. Scooter: I’m not debating his intelligence that’s apparent, he’s just not an attorney. His expertise is corporate and tax matters.

    1. You basically said he is unqualified to speak on domestic violence (as he is “definitely not an attorney”), and inferred he is incorrect in his stance. Suggesting you believe you know more than him on this matter.

      First off, regardless of whether JPN is an attorney or not, he is certainly no less qualified than anyone else on this blog to give his opinion. Second, I’m going to put more faith in JPN’s comments on legal matters than yours, as he has proven himself to be well across legal matters in the past.

        1. How am I making up stories, Mary? If your point wasn’t that you think JPN is unqualified to give his opinion on domestic violence, or that he was wrong in his position and you knew better, what exactly was your point? Why did you feel the need to call him out (which it seems you were wrong about, anyway)?

          And as for the “again” part – please enlighten me to all these other times I have been making up stories. For the most part I try and stay away from commenting on anything you say because I see little harm in what you say most of the time. In this instance I took exception as JPN is probably the smartest person commenting on here, and you had the gall to suggest you knew more on legal matters than he does. And regardless of how much back-tracking you may do now, that is exactly what your comment suggested.

  20. Claude, you’re putting words in my mouth as usual. I knew he was not a litigator and he isn’t. Litigation is not his bread and butter, more likely Corporate and Tax. Anyone can have civil and federal court rules at their fingertips — they are online.

    Here’s the civil rules/procedures for Superior Court in Washington State. There is also the same for federal rules.

    https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.list&group=sup&set=CR

    If JP says he’s an attorney, I believe him!

    1. I have never practiced as a corporate or tax attorney. When I was representing clients, I split my time approximately 50/50 between state court litigation and administrative law.

    2. Yes, anyone can look up laws and rules of procedure and evidence. In fact, attorneys do it on a regular basis. I have never had a colleague that had memorized the massive amount of information needed to practice, nor would that be advisable considering one misremembered rule could be highly deleterious to a client.

      By the way, I am curious about your choice of example. We were discussing criminal law – why would you give link to a document that is not at all involved in criminal procedure?

      1. JP: domestic violence cases are handled in muni. It’s not my specialty. Most attorneys don’t even want to fool with them as there’s not enough $$$, unless you have a rich client who finds himself in trouble and it’s a favor.

  21. Mary ..

    can we get back to talking football ?

    Tell you what … for this Sunday only ..
    I’m gonna be the biggest Peyton Manning fan.. on this blog !

    1. MW: Tell you what … for this Sunday only ..
      I’m gonna be the biggest Peyton Manning fan.. on this blog !
      __________________________________

      I would expect no less. Think you’ll beat the Cards and why. And the Colts are in last place! OMG.

  22. Claude: Save your manufactured outrage for someone else. If we’re keeping a tally on who owes whom (is that correct?) an apology, I’d say more than a handful of you owes me at least 5. So lighten up b/c I’m having a nice glass of wine and visualizing how “we’re” going to decimate the Broncos.

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