The strengths and weaknesses of the Jet Sweep, and how the 49ers should use the play in 2019

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

Check out my schematic breakdown of 2018’s signature offensive play — the Jet Sweep. Here are its strengths and weaknesses, as well as the ways the 49ers offense should use the play next season, and how the 49ers defense can shut it down.

This article has 226 Comments

  1. Grant, I hope to see more of these from you. First video of the Raiders defender could have stopped that play for a loss had he not been so lost. 2nd video, the defensive alignment left off tackle run was wide open too.

      1. Cool. Those were a couple of brilliant plays, the one by New Orleans and the other by Belichick. I also liked the innovation from the Browns as well. Shanny needs to incorporate these immediately….

        1. You’ve never seen the Niners run a jet sweep and hand it off to Goodwin?

          49ers have run jet sweeps and reverses forever. Maybe not effectively, but they certainly have.

          Its simple action to diagnose man or zone, whether you hand it off to the guy full steam or not. Yall sprout these crazy ideas without even knowing the basics, I cant fool with yall

            1. Nice breakdown Grant

              Unfortunately, the 49ers top 3 candidates who’s skill sets best fit the Jet Sweep – Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, and Marquise Goodwin, all suffered significant injuries this last season.

              As we know, Jerick “The Jet” – no pun intended, was lost during the final play of the final practice prior to the final cut downs, 8 days before the start of the season. Aside from losing Garoppolo, no injury was more devastating to Kyle’s offense than losing Jerick, especially when you also consider the timing of th injury. McKinnon is fast, he’s shifty, and he can also run the ball up the gut. He’s everything Shanahan wanted in a running back, short of Saquon Barkley, Devonta Freeman, or perhaps a few others. Jerick was, as Kyle put it, “our first target in free agency, so once you do it, you have a plan on how to use him, especially going into week one. Since the day we signed him, we’ve been game planning for Minnesota,” Shanahan said, via the San Francisco Chronicle, “so I’m not going to lie, it changes things pretty drastically.”

              On the bright side, Kyle still had the speedster, Marquise Goodwin, who would have likely been a strong – second best candidate to get the ball into his hands on the Jet Sweep. Unfortunately, Goodwin suffered a very painful deep tissue injury to his quadriceps muscle group, during opening week VS the Vikings. It took Goodwin 5 weeks to fully recover from this injury, though he never seemed to click with either CJB or Mullens, before his season bottomed out with his tragic personal family loss in November.

              Last, but not necessarily least, Matt Breida would have been the best available candidate left to utilize the Jet Sweep. Unfortunately for him, a hyperextended knee suffered during week 3 which, BTW, he initially thought was a season ending injury, was only the second worse injury he would deal with this past season. Two weeks later, VS the Cardinals, Breida injured his ankle (and as if things couldn’t get any worse, his replacement, Raheem Mostert, fumbled the football, turning it over on his very first carry after replacing Breida), and this injury became chronic and slowed him down throughout most of the rest of the season.

              That left Kyle limited options – a rookie, Dante Pettis, who himself had suffered a knee injury week 4 VS the Chargers, and George Kittle, a Tight End. Maybe Kyle could have used the Jet Sweep more prominently despite these injuries, but it’s not hard to understand why he may have felt it wasn’t playing to the strength of his remaining healthy personnel.

              And before anyone poo poo’s the notion that key injuries are a good excuse, take a look at the LA Rams offense before and after they lost slot receiver Cooper Kupp, and then tell me how one injury, let alone multiple key injuries (#1 QB, #1 & #2 RB, #1 & #2 WR, etc), don’t effect the plays you call, or the way you game plan from week to week.

              I suspect we’ll see a lot more of the Jet Sweep if the 49ers key offensive playmakers are able to stay fairly healthy in 2019, knock on wood!

              1. Is it fair to ask if you took a minute to think about the reasons why Kyle might not have utilized the Jet Sweep as much as we might have expected last season?

                I don’t know, but … perhaps multiple injuries to key offensive personnel may have played a big part in his thought process and game planning this past season?

              2. Fair point Sebnynah. I’m not sure just how many reps Mostert was getting, remember the Jet Sweep requires precise timing. But that’s a fair point, for sure! Unfortunately Alfred Morris wasn’t a good guy to run it with – not quite fast enough, but Mostert certainly is.

              3. Yes, you’re right Seb, he’s an exceptional special teams player. And he was really starting to come into his own as a runner, before even he suffered a serious injury. It seemed like every time the next man up starting to get into the flow of the offense, boom, he would go down with an injury. I’ve never seen anything like last season when it came to injuries. It was pretty unbelievable!

                Of course, like I said, Mostert did fumble the ball away on his very first carry after replacing an injured Breida. That couldn’t have instilled confidence in using him on these sweeps, right, especially if your not running it out of the shotgun.

                What I do know is that injuries to the key offensive playmakers mentioned above, likely played a big part in why Kyle didn’t use it as much as he might have liked to.

              4. I sure hope they figure out how to minimize these injuries. I like the idea of hiring Ben Peterson to oversee both departments, but we’ll see. While I think a lot of it is just bad luck, there has to be something about their strength and conditioning that needed to change! It can’t all be chalked up to bad luck, can it?

              5. 49,
                I’m not sure that McKinnon’s injury was all that devasting initially.
                I think Breida is the better runner back of the two, and he showed himself to be much improved as a receiver.

                The bigger problem came a few weeks later when Breida was injured and the team’s lack of depth was severely challenged.

              6. Big people beat up little people!

                I certainly can’t argue with that Grant. lol. It’s basic physics right?

                An object’s mass and momentum are directly related. As mass increases, momentum will have a corresponding increase, assuming a constant velocity.

              7. Of course, it’s a little more complicated than that, because strength and conditioning play a factor in sports injuries. But as a general rule, you are correct. As a general rule, bigger men tend to be more durable when it comes to contact sports.

              8. To what do you attribute the uptick in non-contact knee injuries? I have cynical theories I’ll keep to myself.

              9. I think the Levis turf may have something to do with it. After seeing players slide a lot, players used longer spikes on their cleats. Even in the College National Championship game, we saw players go down without contact. Their cleats caught in the turf.

            2. The non-contact knee injuries? That’s a tough one Grant. I suppose it could have something to do with Ray Wright’s program, but that’s pure specualtion.

              The other thing off the top of my head is the practice facility fields, or even Levi’s field.

              1. Oh, league wide? If I had to point to one specific thing, I’d probably point to the current NFL CBA, limiting the amount of training and rigorous conditioning – sprinting work combined with hamstring and ACL-specific running drills.
                Teams used to push NFL players a lot harder, back in my day!

                What are your thoughts?

              2. Like I said, my thoughts are extremely cynical and I won’t express them, since I have zero evidence to backup my theories.

              3. My theory regarding the non contact knee injuries would be steroids.

                You can’t tell me that suddenly all these players got so much bigger, faster and stronger just from training. That might account for the changes from 1960 to the 1980’s. However, by the 80’s everyone was training hard from high school on up and several pro’s were already juicing. Accordingly, the size and strength of the athletes should have started to plateau by the mid 90’s to early 2000’s. That hasn’t been the case.

                Facing that information, I would postulate that while the athletes are getting bigger and stronger their tendons and ligaments are not. Therefore they cannot support the stress that a larger bodied athlete, going at higher a speed places on them.

  2. Thanks for the clips, Grant. They are very informative. The probable reason why Niners got 2.8 yards per jet sweep is also the probable reason why Kyle did not run it more — insufficiently crisp execution by the backups.

    Just one sincere piece of advice. The clips are great but your pomposity and presumptuousness in the commentary is uncalled for, and is tiresome to me, perhaps not to some others. However, it does not enhance your reputation among your peers. It would not in most professions. You seriously think that Jim O’Neill did not know what gap integrity was? People often remark “What’s that?” when they don’t hear a question clearly. Why not just stick to describing the play? Watch some of the clips put together by Ted Nguyen who I think is one of the best at this.

    1. Mood,
      Grant’s not the only one to call out Jim O’Neill on gap integrity his players did, heck even the ultimate homer Tim Ryan did.

    2. If you can recall those pressers, Chip even refused to answer Grant’s questions. O’Neil was just being condescending to Grant with his smarmy answers. Imagine, a DC not knowing about gap integrity. Of course, he thought Bellore was an ILB. He not only jumped out of the gap he should have been defending, he blocked his own players. No wonder they let 3rd string RBs gallop for 200 yards.
      .
      I guess I like Grant’s edgy lingo, and am used to it. However, I could see how some one new would be taken aback with it.

  3. Back to the Niners.

    I sure like the jet sweep, and hope to see Jet Mckinnon run the Jet sweep. Putting a man in motion is a good way to have him at full speed at the snap of the ball. It is also a good opportunity to read the defense’s reaction.
    .
    I liked how Belichick used Edelman running behind the line before the snap of the ball.

    1. True, the main strength of McKinnon’s game is his receiving ability. Placing him Briedas Role should give more options. Of course that all depends on how well he recovers.

      1. I hope both JM and JG recover fully, because neither player was hit or had a player fall on their leg, when they tore their ACL.

        1. Yeah, I think Jimmy G. Will be fine, but I have serious questions regarding McKinnon as a smaller back that depends on quickness and mobility.

  4. Jim Harbaugh learned the Fly Sweep from my high school coach Pete Lavorato. He wasn’t at Sacred Heart back then (almost 25 or so years ago) and he wasn’t coaching the Fly Sweep. We ran mostly a straight forward Pro Style Power Run offense. 28 Power was our bread and butter.

    I was curious what the difference between a Fly Sweep and Jet Sweep is. It appears that many coaches think it’s the same thing. Some say that both use Jet Motion but the Fly Sweep is almost more of a zone type of run play with the runner having the option to run up field before he gets to the edge….essentially an outsize zone run using Jet motion. I do not know if this is really the case as I only came across the specific difference once.

    The Kittle Sweep is a cool variation. The reason is because defenses don’t usually bat an eye when a Tight End goes in motion as a possible run threat. In fact often they become preoccupied because they often have to adjust their defensive alignments and assignments because the strong side of the offensive formation is changing when the TE goes in motion.

    That play against the Seahawks, there needs to be an audible or option installed. Because from the very beginning of the play you already tell based on the Seahawk’s defensive formation that the Jet Sweep is going to run right into the teeth of the defense. Look how spread out the interior defensive line is. Just audible to an ISO play up the gut and you stand a higher percentage chance at gaining some yards on the ground.

    That play action off of the Jet Sweep play by the Browns is almost a high low stretch play…kind of like a play action smash play because if the defense sticks to the deeper receiver then the Jet Sweeper will likely be open underneath.

    It’s interesting that initially the Jet Sweep was designed as a counter play. Blocking for the Jet Sweep was originally set up to look like another play that usually went the other way. However these days the counters are built off of the Jet Sweep.

      1. Yes, it was 26 power, 28 was the toss sweep. We went from an I formation base to a split back formation in his last season there, added a few more misdirections such as the double dive, sprint draw and some veer option. Got to the playoffs that year.

        The Fly Sweep is all about getting to the edge, making the defense run and run and run some more. Sweep till they weep. The blocking scheme for the fly/jet sweep sets up the counters because all of the initial motions look exactly the same.

        That play against Seattle is tough based on their alignment, but it’s also the blocking scheme that causes problems. 74 should be reaching on the end, 84 should be working upfield to the linebacker, and if those two blocks are made you have Pettis on the edge one on one with the DB. If they block it up this way on that play it’s a positive gain.

        There’s no need to double the end, he’s not going to catch a full speed Pettis. The threats are an unblocked LB, and the outside player. The outside player gets blocked beautifully by 44, but the lb is untouched.

        1. Great points, Jack. Would have been a tough block for 84 by himself, but just slowing down Calitro would have helped Pettis.

        2. Jack, we might know each other.

          We played Leigh High School in the playoffs the year he went from I backs to Split Backs….if memory serves me (which it often doesn’t) the QB’s cadence was simplified too. I wonder if Lavorado’s time in the Canadian League had anything to do with his early adoption of the Fly Sweep.

          The blocking scheme for the fly/jet sweep sets up the counters because all of the initial motions look exactly the same.

          I’ve seen blocking for the fly sweep that looks like either a power or a sweep to the other side with a lineman pulling to (what looks like the play side) to the back side. Based on what I’ve seen the Fly sweep was used as a counter by a lot of coaches.

          That’s a tough block for Staley to make against the Seahawks. Sure it’s possible for the play to work if the blocks are made. But I still think it’s more likely that a dive or an Iso play up the middle will work against that defensive alignment. The other problem with that play is that the alignment of the formation already sets up the defense to be stacked against you. In fact the jet motion is towards the strength of the defense. The defense isn’t even paying attention to to running backing who’s supposed to be drawing the backer flow with him. I wonder if a more neutral alignment would have been better.

          1. Wagner is paying attention to the running back. That’s Wagner’s assignment. Calitro is focused on Pettis.

            1. If Wagner is paying attention to the running back and Calitro on Pettis then the Seahawks know the play ahead of time.

              Because at the NFL level, backers are usually taught to key their flow based on the guard or uncovered linemen movement.

          2. Yes. Leigh, 21-14. Yes, the cadence was changed in the middle of camp to just “Set, ready hit”. This was done after he had Coach Elder, Jeff Garcia’s Uncle, come out and work with us. The whole team firing off for an hour at a blocking sled while running plays. Was one of the most fun practices of the year.

            All that 74 and 84 need to do is disrupt them really, and even if Staley doesn’t make the block the end isn’t going to make the stop. 18 is going full speed and there’s no way either get out to him if he’s slowed down.

            Yes, the blocks aren’t easy but they’re doable and that’s how the scheme should look.

            1. You remember that practice in better detail than me. I do remember that when those changes were made that practice was a good one.

              I still favor not running into the teeth of the defense. To me that play is badly set up from the beginning. Is it doable? Sure. But I think it’s probability for success isn’t that great compared to simply running it up the middle against that defense (of course that depends on how confident you are that Richburgh and Tomlinson can make their blocks).

            2. Senior
              Offense

              Unless you really studied the playbook as a defensive player (funny thing cleaning out my garage last December I found a box with my letter patches and copies of pages from the playbook), I’m guessing you were on offense.

              Remember that the back up QB was a cousin of Steve Young (probably one of many cousins).

              1. I didn’t know that! We almost got into a fight one day after practice over a Joe/Steve argument. LOL.

                Yep, offense.

              2. That’s pretty cool you two. Small worlds collide. If I were you guys, I’d meet up and share in each others company over a glass of wine or something!

              3. He had the same last name. He was also mormon. I remember him telling me about talking to Steve about playing QB. He never implied they were super close or anything….I’m making an educated guess that Steve has many cousins.

                I also remember hotly debating with D. Young about Joe being much better than Steve (I think that was around the time Joe was out injured for a year or so and Steve was starting and playing well enough to earn an MVP). I remember calling him biased because of his family relationship.

              4. Yeah Yeah, but I’d never heard that before or put it together. That’s freaking hilarious. Those were good times.

              5. Jack,

                Which class were you ? The one that had a Senior Dinner Dance on a Horn Blower Yacht in San Francisco. Or the class that didn’t have the opportunity?

                Of all the guys we played with and played against, I think the big guy Swanson from Hollister eventually made it to the NFL for a couple of years; I don’t think he lasted very long.

              6. The one that did, lol. I was just up at Pier 39 recently and was telling that story. Good thing our principal was an old football coach.

                Yes, Swanson got pretty far. Got to play with a bunch of guys who went D1 in junior college and coach against Andy Levitre when he was in high school at SLV. That’s my claim to fame. Haha

              7. I was at Leigh HS for a year. Probably well before the times you guys mention so I wasn’t rooting against you ?

    1. Next season, defenses will focus on containing Kittle, sometimes with double teams, creating opportunities for others.

    2. The Kittle Sweep was cool. I’m surprised the Niners never came back to it, because it was their best Jet Sweep of the season.

    3. allforfunnplay – I remember the Raiders using Todd Christensen, TE #46, on your “Kittle Sweep” in a game against the 49ers back in the mid-1980s in Candlestick Park. It was down in the Red Zone, too, going left to right on your radio dial!!!!! and I was there!!!!!

      1. Very cool to have seen that. It takes a fast but also fairly agile (for a Tight End) to be able to turn the corner on a sweep play. Both Christiansen and Kittle have those traits.

        Was it a Jet sweep where the receiver (TE) has a running start because he’s in motion? Or was it more standard End (TE) around type of play?

  5. I thought the jet sweep was when the RB went in motion, and the fly sweep was when a WR went in motion.

    1. you can run either with a running back or a receiver. The difference between the two of them is largely just the number on their jersey. Teams that primarily run the Fly Sweep have a receiver called a “fly back”. Out of 11 personnel it’s usually a pass catching running back/slot receiver type.

      In fact the original Z receiver/Flanker was a running back in the backfield….often offset to one side. Eventually they figured out it was easier to pass the ball to this back by flexing him out wide….ie…”flanking” the formation…which is how and why the Flanker became a Wide Receiver.

  6. Good analysis Grant. Tbh the jet sweep is mostly useful as a decoy to slow the defense – as you highlight it can be shut down pretty easily by a disciplined D. It only really works if you convince the D the player isn’t getting the ball. But giving it to the sweeping player every now and then can provide a big play.

    1. Thanks, Scooter. It was fascinating to see Belichick eliminate the effectiveness of the Jet Sweep motion I the Super Bowl. The two outside force linebackers on the line of scrimmage boxing in the Jet Sweep was smart. He used an old-school 6-1 look, which was prevalent in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

      1. Great article, Grant. Those little documentaries you do are terrific.

        While Belichick is certainly one of the greats, it should be noted that the Rams left 14 points on the field. They probably should have won that game. I say this not being a Ram fan at all…………

  7. Part 1 – Grant using the Raiders defense of a successful jet sweep is to easy lol first off the Raiders defense is horrible which almost made Nick Muellens look like Tom Brady 2nd of all there’s only one Tyrek Hill there’s no other like him in the nfl and the Niners don’t have a player that explosive not even close.

    1. It’s hilarious how the Raiders defense had no clue how to defend the play Week 1 or Week 17. They learned nothing.

    1. That’s one reason Vic Fangio is great. He puts a premium on discipline, which is so underrated.

      1. This is no small point. Fangio consistently chooses players who were smart veterans over younger and less disciplined players.

    2. I remember the Niners during the Glory years would run the sweep by pitching back to Roger Craig. He would run hard to the side line, then cut upfield.
      .
      After the last SB, teams would defend that play so well, we would chant- No more sweeps!No more sweeps!
      .
      In HS and college, that play would work, but in the pros, the defenders were fast enough to stymie that play.
      .
      This new variation is that they would put a player in motion so he would be at top speed at the snap of the ball. It also gave the QB time to watch what the defense did to counter the play, so he had the option to keep the ball.
      .
      One variation I think the Niners should employ is to fake the hand off to the sweeper, he would show he did not have the ball and look like he gave up on his route, so the defenders would then ignore him. The RB would run the other way, looking for the hand off, drawing the defense to that side. Then the QB would throw a little swing pass to the sweeper who should be wide open.
      .
      Deception is the key.

  8. Call me a traditionalist but I don’t like the Jet Sweep out of shotgun. The runner has to get too deep in the backfield. Also anything with a misdirection like in #5 isn’t a Jet Sweep to me. That’s a reverse. This is probably too old school but a jet sweep is a very specific play designed to get your fastest player the ball while at near full speed. The play is supposed to automatically get past the DE and hopefully gets the ball carrier into a 1v1 vs an OLB or S in space. I prefer running the Jet Sweep from a very tight formation to the wide side which I dictate as the weak side of the formation. Jet Sweeps work great if you hv elite speed or a dynamic ball carrier at the WR position. The Kittle variation is interesting but again I don’t consider that a Jet Sweep.

    1. Houston,
      The shotgun variation began in high school as means to further spread the field and counter the force player.
      As to the example Grant used where Pettis was running the ball I think the shotgun variation would have helped as it would do a few things.
      1 the added depth would give Pettis a better view of the defender who has the runner.
      2. The depth gives the faster player the advantage at getting to the corner which in most cases will be the Runner.
      3. Here is where 1 comes in, if the defender over commits to the edge the runner can cut under the force defender and should pick up an easy 4 or 5 yards.

      If you’re interested here is a short tutorial on it.
      https://youtu.be/b-b_DP7qfNI

      In area where I would argue that Grant is incorrect, is in the statement that their were not pass counters. They may not have been showcased, but in high school whole offenses have been built around this play. As such their are multiple counters including pass plays.

      1. The Niners didn’t have a pass counter off that particular pop-pass play. Only the Browns did last season, I believe. I’m sure lots of colleges have pop-pass counters.

        1. Maybe, they didn’t showcase it, but I don’t even recall that they ran that play again with Brieda?
          I wonder if the injury had something to do with it, as it seemed when they ran variations of it, later on, they were using it more as a simple shovel pass going off tackle rather than as a sweep.

      2. @Shoup, yeah I’m aware of how the Spread developed. One of the high school coaches who started 7v7 in Texas ran the spread way back when and is a family friend. His step-son was one of the 1st high school level spread QBs. He went on to play at Iowa – Drew Tate. I’ve coached everything from double wing to spread so I know what you’re say and the reasoning behind the WR sweep from shotgun. I just don’t call that a jet sweep. When the runner gets that deep it gives the OLB, S, and CB plenty of time to come up for their run fits. I just don’t like the play. The only thing it’s good for is as setup play so you can get the defense flowing to the WR motion side and then run a QB keeper off the other end. It’s also good as a pop pass. One of the plays I really liked out of that motion is to have the QB fake the handoff to the WR in motion, then the QB keeps the ball and uses the WR in motion as a lead blocker. You have your 2nd WR out wide on play side and they stalk block quickly then release the CB who is thinking run. The QB then has a read on the CB. If the CB comes up in run support then the QB passes to the WR. If the CB stays with the WR then the QB runs the ball. The lead blocker has the first threat which is usually the OLB. If the Safety comes up hard in run support that play can be a TD. It puts a ton of pressure on the CB to make a split second run/pass decision. We called it 18 Pop Pass. Scored many TDs on it.

    2. It’s hard to run the Jet Sweep toward force linebackers who are in a two-point stance on the line of scrimmage. They can easily “box” the sweep inside, or spill it out wide. The Seahawks and 49ers spill. The Patriots box.

      1. Belichick has a variable defensive front and scheme. His defensive linemen will spill in some game plans and will contain in others. I wrote a really long fan post once on run fits a few years ago. Basically defensive linemen attack the inside of the gap to spill and the outside of the gap for a containment scheme. Usually if there’s anyone 2 gapping it’s a containment based scheme (but not always…I think I read somewhere Parcells liked to spill ball carriers to the sidelines).

      2. The counter to this is to run the jet sweep with a kick out instead where the back cuts it inside. It’s basically like a 26 power but with the jet/fly back handling the ball. Great for over pursuing ends and ILB’s.

        1. Teams that run this often, ie KC, have this change up in there. The 49ers did back in the Harbaugh days.

    3. The jet/fly sweep out of the gun is a bit more difficult from a timing perspective. Have run both, and don’t like it as much because you are exposing the ball to the defense compared to hiding it when run from under center. The whole concept is built off speed and deception.

      As for the depth of the ball carrier, that is really not an issue. If the play is run correctly the fly/jet guy is taking a slide step away from the los to gain depth to get on the outside hip of the lead blocker and also make it so the end can’t get to him before he gets the edge.

  9. For me, these are very informative since I have never played the game. Keep them coming, please.

    It seems to me that smoke and mirrors is very much the flavour of the game at this point in time (even more so than previously) and you’d like to think that KS would be one of the best at that.

    Kittle will be a marked man this year and it’ll be great to see how that is exploited.

    Or not!

  10. As noted several months ago Grant, you should seriously consider teaching basic football fundamentals–using learning technologies available today (distance learning, etc.). John Madden did something like this through the University of California Extension–very early 80s I believe. It was a success and spanned 2-3 years. Course content was designed primarily for football fans. It was delivered Madden-style so it was fun and engaging. Perhaps you could team-up with a consortium of JCs–prepared web-based courses with some live sessions, and perhaps an in-person session or two in a small auditorium at a couple locations.

    Of course, the Madden offering came with off-the-charts credibility. You being a media type would present some challenges, but it could work.

      1. You are a much better communicator in person/video than in print. That idea might really work for you. Live you are very personable while in print you come off as arrogant .

  11. Gruden said that the difficulty with signing Kaepernick would be having to “teach a whole new offense with a lot of zone-reads” to center around his mobility.

    “There’s not a lot of time to get a brand-new quarterback and system installed in a couple of days,” he said. “He’s been talked about, but we’ll probably go in a different direction.”

    https://www.newsweek.com/jay-gruden-colin-kaepernick-discussed-will-not-be-pursued-redskins-1244666

    1. Seb,
      Do you think Kaep will be signed by the Pats or another NFL team this offseason.
      That’s plenty of time to install a zone-read offense?

      You haven’t broached the subject, understandably, touching on leagal matters instead, so I mentioned it for you.

      Kaep has a clear path for any team that needs a QB.

      1. TomD, I do not know.
        .
        I was amazed that Chris Carter actually brought up that scenario, with Kraft praising the Orange glow. However, if Belichick wants Kaep, he will get him. If anyone could utilize Kaep correctly, Belichick would be the man.
        .
        I think it all depends on where Foles and Bridgewater lands. Maybe the draft will sort things out, too.

              1. I am trying to refrain from mentioning him by name. Sets people off.
                .
                My question to you is- What if they do find he colluded with the Russians? Are you willing to see him removed?

          1. Seb, razor has a point. Just use his unindicted (for now) co-conspirator name “individual-1”. Everybody, except maybe for md, will know exactly who you mean.

              1. It was a tough loss for team Hillary, but at some point you two will need to get over it. A storm is coming and an indictment as well? ?????

              2. Razor, maybe you’ve missed it. Or more likely not reported wherever you get your news from. Individual-1’s campaign manager is more than indicted, he’s serving what looks to be a life sentence. Deputy manager and transition co-chair. Indicted, pled guilty. Soon to be sentenced.

                Individual-1’s attorney and indicted co-conspirator soon to start serving a multi-year sentence.

                I’m sure you got a kick out of the guy leading the lock her up chants at the convention. A multi year sentence coming up for him.

                The guy that facilitated the dirty tricks on “Team Hillary”, it’s not looking good for him. We’ll see how well his Nixon tramp stamp goes over in the big house.

                Individual-1 Jr looks to have perjured himself under oath. Expect indictments there. First daughter and her Hope GF might be too pretty to end up in jail though, don’t you think?

                You still think #1 is going to get out of this scott-free?

  12. Wasn’t coach Herschel Moore the innovator of the Jet Sweep?!.. Why credit Andy Reid for the play and say other coaches stole the play from him??

  13. One big question I have is- do they re-sign Person? I do not think he graded out well, and I wonder if Joshua Garnett may be the replacement.
    .
    Also, what is the status of Laken Tomlinson? Sounds like they dodged a bullet by having him go down with only an MCL and not an ACL.
    .
    Finally, will they draft a Center? Looks like there are some good candidates in the mid rounds.

    1. Fusco was a cheap, journeymen guy they brought in year 1. After an ok season they didn’t try hard to keep him and replaced him with another journeymen in Person, plus Cooper. Person won the “battle that never was” and had an ok season. They won’t try hard to keep him. If he doesn’t get any interest they probably bring him back on the cheap, otherwise they will sign a similar guy as a replacement. Maybe like last year they bring a second guy in after the draft if they don’t draft an interior OL.

      My guess is they will draft an interior OL on day 2 though.

        1. I am wondering if Benton will shake things up, and put Joshua Garnett at his natural position at LG, and move Tomlinson to RG. I think Tomlinson played RG before moving to LG.

          1. Most unlikely. The last thing you want to do is create issues where you have none. Find a player that can take ownership of that RG position, and then let them gel….

            1. I am just thinking they would put the players in their best position to succeed.
              .
              Tomlinson started every game at RG when he played at Duke, so he has versatility.
              .
              Joshua Garnett started every game as a junior and senior at LG, while at Stanford.

              1. That was ages ago. Tomlinson and Staley have a chemistry. It’s time to find a player that can develop that with McGlinchey now….

              2. I don’t know, Belichick stressed versatility. He wants players who can handle different positions with ease, and seamlessly. Maybe rotating the O line will keep them fresher, and if there is an injury, they can adjust quickly.

              3. They rotate the D line. Might help in the run game.
                .
                Maybe for a quarter. Fresher legs to finish the game.

              4. I’d advise against it. Every team rotates their defensive line, except for the 2017 Titans.

            2. I’m not aware of any team ever rotating their offensive line to keep it fresh.

              Remember in the early days of having coaches, rather than the QB, consistently calling plays teams would shuttle OLmen (most often tackles as I recall) in and out with the play? I’m not sure how fresh they were what with all that back and forth from the sideline to the field. ?

              1. I was never quite sure why it was the Guards that were the ones that shuttled back and forth from the sideline back in the “old days”. You’d think it would be one of the faster and more cardiovascular fit players (linemen were not that card fit back then….it wasn’t uncommon for pro football players to smoke) like a receiver or back.

              2. like a receiver or back.

                Maybe a certain receiver’s or back’s skill set might tip off the play call? idk.

              3. subbing players for various personnel packages for match ups wasn’t done nearly (if at all) as much as it is today.

          1. Yup. Or maybe he can be trade bait. and like Scooter says, get an interior O lineman in the second or third round.

  14. Grant, I think these videos do a lot to establish your “bona fides” with the chatterers among us. I appreciate them as these represent your knowledge of the game. Thanks, and would love to see more of this.

      1. I think that’s excellent news. Should help your “credentials” around here.

        You have a great analytical mind. And you do your homework. Glad to see it used so well!

        1. I think Grant should go into broadcasting. He is far better than most of the talking heads they now have. This might be a good starting point.

  15. Appearing on CNN, lawyer Mark Geragos clearly implied that the settlement agreement does not prevent Kaepernick from applying for or accepting employment with an NFL team moving forward.

    I won’t lie the best part of this whole story is seeing all the Kap haters turn from Orange to Red…..

    1. I was among one of the first to call the Kaep situation a clear case of “black-balling”

      If he would have held out longer on his collusion case there might be a good chance he could buy his own NFL franchise with his cash windfall.
      But to each their own.

      I believe that CK should be given an opportunity to prove that he can still play. If he can’t, then all the Kaep talk can finally be put to rest.
      And Kaep himself will be at peace.

      1. I don’t even get the point of the blackballing… .

        It was obvious the kneel down issue did not affect the NFL profits……quality of games do…..NFL suffers from that old men outdated mentality…….

        “We” all know kap sucks reading defenses…..they should have just allowed him play and show how terrible he really is…….

              1. Elway almost signed him. I think Fangio really wants to win, and Flacco and Keenum are marginal, at best.
                .
                At least we went from never playing again, to speculating on landing spots.
                .
                He who laughs last, laughs best. ;p

              2. I have had a good belly laugh every time I watch that Geragos interview. ;p
                .
                He mentioned something may happen in the next 2 weeks.

          1. Kaep is the anti-Brady. Makes no sense whatsoever. More sense would be the Ravens who need a backup with similar skillset to Lamar Jackson’s.

              1. Thinking outside the box, maybe Belichick wants to preserve Brady’s health, so Kaep would agree to play all season, them let Brady take over in the playoffs.
                .
                It might be a good way for Kaep to win a ring, and if it is a blowout, Kaep can do mop up duty.

              2. I suppose. But with nearly 1500 yards of offense in the playoffs, it’s possible a gadget player isn’t high on team wants.

              3. For the love of God let this phoney play so he can be exposed and broken on the field of battle.

              4. so Kaep would agree to play all season, them let Brady take over in the playoffs.

                LOL. Brady agreeing to that scenario is as likely as Brady agreeing to a trade to the Niners to back up Jimmy.

              5. How can Belichick save the wear and tear on a 42 year old body? With a substitute. Maybe let Brady take over in the red zone so he stays sharp.
                .
                Belichick is diabolical enough to do that, and smart enough to make it work.

              1. Giving up that easy Sebbie? C’mon…

                The little voice in you is whispering–“Kaep leads his 2019 team (TBD) to a 14 and 2 record, throwing for 4600+ yards and 43 TDs, completing 72% of his attempts. He runs for another 786 yards and 9 TDs. Wins the next SB, crushing the opponent–ahead by 54 points, Kaep is taken out of the game at the end of the 3rd quarter.

              2. Sorry, Cassie, but the possibility of Kaep playing for the Patriots makes the most sense.
                .
                Belichick is known for taking rejects, and making them shine. The best way to preserve Brady is to save him for the playoffs, or save him until the Patriots get deep into the Red Zone.
                .
                Kaep could be such a team player, he would drive the team down field, and almost get into the end zone, take a knee on the one yard line, then let Brady score.
                .
                Belichick, with Kaep, might win 3 more rings.

              3. Seb – My one and only comment to you about Kaep: Turlock High, UNR, 49ers draft pick who took over when the starter went down = a person who never truly competed with the very talented people who end up being NFL stars. The stars lined up for him. To use a term that I believe sums it up, he believes his own BS. I promise you I will do the same with Kaep if you will too. When he really does something that deserves respect, which is the same standard we use for Shanny and Lynch, I will agree that he deserves respect. Until then I will maintain my position that he is just a person who was in the right place at the right time. The term “fooled by randomness” comes to my mind.

              4. WC, you are entitled to your opinion, and I hope you notice that I do not denigrate posters until they pompously declare that Peterman and the Butt Fumbler are superior to Kaep.
                .
                Yes, he may fall flat on his face, but he has also done things that few QBs can do. Running for 181 yards in a playoff game is impressive. There is not a blade of grass on the field that is out of range of his arm. We have seen him make jaw dropping throws. He is 6′ 4″, 230 lbs, can shrug off arm tackles and out run the DBs. Kaep on the run and in open space is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
                .
                It is not Kaep’s fault that coaches did not know how to properly utilize him. It certainly is not his fault when he signs a team friendly deal because Baalke promised to retain veteran talent, then watch Baalke dismantle a SB team. Baalke wanted to purge every last vestige of JH, and Kaep was enemy number one. Thankfully, the stench of Baalke is dissipating.
                .
                Imagine. Past Niner coaches wanted to force Kaep to be only a pocket passer. Why, that is like putting an Abrams tank in a pit. I do not know why they wanted to hide his strengths, and showcase his weaknesses. Then came the kneeling, and the blackballing and ostracism. People were so against him, they did not want to allow him to even try out. By letting him try out, Kaep could demonstrate his skillsets, so that is the last thing they wanted him to do. They wanted to diss him so much, they became afraid to let him step on the field, because all of their arguments would disappear like a puff of smoke.
                .
                Now, with this settlement, all of that is old news. No more blackballing. Kaep will try out. He will be given a chance. His detractors can stop declaring he will never play again.
                .
                I respect him already. You may not, but I hope you have enough class to admit you were wrong, if he does sign and play well. I will admit I am wrong if he does fall flat on his face, but like you, I am confident in my analysis. Kaep has gone from not playing, to possibly being on a SB team. Belichick is smart enough to know how to utilize him properly. Time will tell.
                .
                Finally I wish to state that while Kaep may take the league by storm, again. I support JG and the Niners. If Kaep faces the Niners in the SB, I will wish him well, and hope he throws 3 TDs, but I will hope JG throws for 4 TDs, and leads the Niners to their sixth ring.

              1. Seb – It would have been a miracle if Geragos took it to trial. Stick to landscaping. At the end of the day, it’s just bidness.

              2. Garagos is crafty enough to get internal NFL communications. Less as an opportunity to win the case than to force the owners hands. You see, the owners probably don’t want the general public aware of their communications where certain views (of fellow owners, officials, players, team officials and coaches) might see light of day and hurt the brand and internal cohesion.

                This move was less one where the NFL felt heat because of the validity of the argument but rather an assessment of how much damage an airing out of laundry might do.

              3. WC, my speculation about voiding the CBA was backed up by Geragos pointing out it was not a criminal court case, but was going to be arbitrated within the CBA. The Owners knew they would stand to lose possibly billions, because the CBA is so owner friendly right now. They would also lose power because they would not be able to keep exploiting the players. NFL settled, and the NFL does not usually settle, so Geragos had the goods in writing on the NFL.
                .
                Sure I will stick to landscaping, and have a big drainage project lined up which was precipitated with all this rain. 3 houses.
                .
                I think the main reason Kaep took it was because he would put the dispute behind him, so he gets to play this season. If he was stuck litigating this, he would have continued to be blackballed. Thankfully, a few courageous people stood up and said we were better than this, and resolved the issues.

  16. Personally, I think the Patriots make the most sense. Kaep should tell Kraft that he wants to concentrate on playing football, so he will voluntarily stop kneeling, because he succeeded in creating a dialogue, and that at least one police officer has been found guilty of police brutality, so the thin Blue Line was broken.Many police officers have lost their jobs due to police misconduct, so a new age of accountability has dawned.
    .
    Kaep objected to being forced to stand, but it is also his right to stop kneeling, too. Kaep can say that he will donate part of his settlement to help victims of police misconduct. Kaep can also say that the kneeling was being counter productive, and it was twisted and misconstrued by others, and turned into a political football. so he will channel his protests into more impactful methods.
    .
    Kraft, being a buddy of individual 1, could protect Kaep, and Belichick just wants to win SBs.

      1. The Patriots have a such chance of signing with the Patriots as a QB as he has of signing with the 49ers.

        Maybe he wants to play WR though….

    1. Kaep can say… Kaep can say… Kaep can also say…so he will channel…

      Seb, the mind of Kaep. Between you and Nessa, there’s not much left of the poor fellow, is there?

  17. I have no issue with Kaep signing on somewhere–all a function of a team or teams wanting to add Kaep to the roster and an agreement is reached. That’s all good.

    What will become uncomfortable is Sebbie making excuses for any difficulties Kaep may have as he attempts a comeback after not taking a snap since the 2016 season. Sebbie will blame coaches, play calling, and even other teammates if Kaep’s isn’t performing as a top three NFL QB. Kaep–if he returns–will have more than a few struggles, and those struggles will be the fault of others.

    1. Cassie, I am supremely confident Kaep, with the right support, will take the league by storm, AGAIN.
      .
      Conversely, I cannot wait to see posters grind their teeth when they see Kaep succeed with good coaching.
      .
      The stench of Baalke will be long gone, so Kaep will actually have the FO pat him on the back, instead of getting stabbed in the back.

      1. Ha ha…. No Sebbie. We know you. You’ll make every excuse possible to cover for any Kaep hiccup. You will. It’s in your DNA.

  18. Grant. Question…

    Since the NFL merger, has any league QB who has missed two full consecutive seasons ever returned to play at a ‘high’ level immediately after their absence? By high level, I’m thinking starting and winning more than 60% of their starts across a full season.

      1. I pulled up his stats. Name the two consecutive seasons Jim didn’t play–AND wasn’t even a member of a squad for those two years.

        Name the years.

          1. Assuming this is correct… “49ers released him [Plunkett] during the 1978 preseason. Plunkett then joined the Oakland Raiders in 1978, serving in a reserve capacity over the next two years, throwing no passes in 1978 and just 15 passes in 1979.”

            Point is, Plunkett was part of a squad during that time (which does yield some value), where Kaep hasn’t been on a squad during his absence. There’s much more to being NFL-ready than ‘staying in shape’.

            1. A little bit of trivia – Plunkett spent the time he was released with the 49ers until he was picked up by the Raiders a lot at the bar at Borel’s Restaurant in San Mateo where the bartender was a good friend who played Rugby with him. He had a spot in the corner of the bar where we would see him time and again when we went across the street from our office for happy hour. He was pretty much a regular. Many of us Faithful were really encouraged by the progress that Monte Clark was making with Plunkett as our QB because after Dick Nolan was fired the team went into a tailspin. Then Joe Thomas cleaned house and times were very much like today. Fair to say that Eddie D’s first couple of years were very much like the Yorks’. Fortunately an old guy who was shunned by the NFL came along and turned things around for the 49ers — and Plunkett, another old guy who they gave up on, went on to win some big ones for the Raiders. Go figure.

        1. I cannot help it if Kaep was blackballed for 2 years, but Plunkett did not play for almost a year and a half.
          .
          He did not start out well, throwing 5 picks in relief, but went on to win the SB.
          .
          Fortunately, Kaep also has not been hit for 2 years, so he should be fully healthy, and at 31, he is in the prime of his life. Heck, he could play for 8 more years.
          .
          What other QB has been blackballed for 2 years for peacefully protesting?

      1. See my reply above. Kaep’s been out of the NFL for two consecutive seasons. Plunkett was part of a NFL squad even when he wasn’t actively playing for over a year. There’s a difference.

  19. Great, now we have to get past hundreds of posts about Kaep again. I’ll tap out for a little while, be back when things settle down again.

      1. Thank you Grant, this has been fun for me. Kaep just kicked his detractors in the teeth, even his biggest detractor.
        .
        Gosh, I could talk all day about this subject, but a tree fell on my tractor during the storm, and needs my attention.

        1. a post about detractors and tractors? You don’t hear that everyday.

          bummer about your tractor.

          1. 30 inch euke. The tractor was out in the field 80 feet away so only 20 feet hit it. Still, it bent the scoop arm, tore off the muffler and creamed the steering wheel. Still, it looks like the Hydraulics are not leaking, so not catastrophic damage, I hope.
            .
            Just got done cutting up the tree, but need to wait until I can get my truck out there.

  20. Mostert adds plenty of value as a special teams ace, and he’s probably the 2nd fastest player on the team. He averaged 7 yards a carry before the injury. I look for the 49ers to extend him….

    1. I hope the Niners re-sign Mostert, Gould, Pinion, Elijah Lee, Exum and Julian Taylor.
      .
      Let the rest walk, or bring them back for less.

  21. What are the chances that Gould hoes elsewhere 50/50?

    What should the team do with him?

    Looks like he may want to win a SB. He reportedly attended the Bears game during post season.

  22. Parris Campbell, WR, The Ohio St. has a 2nd round grade from Miller, but a 6th round grade by Sikkema. I was leaning towards a day 3 pick as well.

  23. Garrett Bradbury, C/OG from NC St., is a player I’ve been high on. Charlie Campbell is comparing him to Matt Paradis, and the Athletic’s Dane Brugler recently voiced his opinion that Bradbury has Pro Bowl potential. Does Shanny invest in the RG position if he’s there at the top of round 2, or does he go wide receiver with Samuels?

  24. This was excellent work Grant. I look forward to the weekly installments you will be doing.

  25. Hmmm…..this A. Brown to 49ers is looking more like not a bad idea……maybe it’s them not him….

    I won’t give them more than a 4th rd pick…..he is on a 3yr rental based on his current contract….i definately foresee a contract dispute in his near future…..

  26. Off topic. I haven’t seen this in any other posts. Has anyone put the salary cap numbers on what the total will be after guys like Malcom smith, garcone, Mitchell, Marsh are all cut/released?

    1. Go to spotrac-49ers.
      .
      There is an app where you can manage the roster. You put an X in the release column, and it will automatically adjust the cap.
      .
      Right now, there is 35 mil in cap space roll over, and the estimated cap space for the top 51 is 76 mil.

      1. Garcon Mitchell and Gilliam have already been released, so the cap space is$ 71, 422, 950.
        .
        If Smith and Marsh are released, it goes up to $76. 841, 700.

Comments are closed.