Updated invite list

The 49ers can bring in 30 prospects for private visits before the draft. Here are the 17 confirmed prospects the 49ers have invited to the facility for private visits:

1. Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona State
2. Preston Brown, ILB, Louisville
3. Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson
4. Terrance Cobb, RB, University of the Cumberlands
5. Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma
6. C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa
7. Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami
8. Nic Jacobs, TE, McNeese State
9. Storm Johnson, RB, UCF
10. Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State
11. Aaron Lynch, DE, USF
12. Matt Patchan, OT, Boston College
13. Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado
14. Kona Schwenke, DT, Notre Dame
15. Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame
16. Terrance West, RB, Towson
17. Albert Wilson, WR, Georgia State

This article has 111 Comments

  1. Interesting comment from Chris Biderman from Niners Digest on this:

    Side note: after writing this it was reported Tuitt had a visit with the 49ers Tuesday. The team doesn’t often draft players who come in for official visits. So to quote Jim Harbaugh, I’m trying not to let myself get “emotionally hijacked” here.

    Can you verify whether this is true or not Grant?

    1. They don’t often. AJ Jenkins visited in 2012. I think Darius Fleming did too. Last year I believe only Quinton Dial visited – though they met with Reid early in the piece (at the combine according to Maiocco), Carradine at his individual workout, and Patton at the combine.

      Of note, last year they had visits with Luke Marquardt, Lawrence Okoye and Kevin McDermott, all of whom they signed as priority UDFA. Look for the likes of Albert Wilson, Terrence Cobb, Kona Schwenke and maybe Nic Jacobs to be UDFA targets this year.

  2. Bradford listed as an ILB Grant? I know there is talk he might be able to play there, but he was primarily a DE in college and 3-4 OLB would appear a more natural fit…

    While it shouldn’t shock that many of the more talented players on that list come with some form of character concerns, what is of interest is the positions that have multiple guys that are expected to go in certain rounds:

    – OLB/DE: Demarcus Lawrence, Carl Bradford and Aaron Lynch – Lawrence and Bradford have been discussed as day 1 or 2 picks, while Lynch is also rated pretty highly on drafttek.
    – WR: Bryant and Richardson would suggest they may be thinking WR in late round 2/ early round 3.
    – RB: Storm Johnson and Terrance West – could be thinking a running back in round 4/ 5.
    – OT: Patchan and Henderson: Talented but troubled OL prospects that could go around round 5.

    1. I think the 49ers are looking at him as an ILB just because his arms are super short. Don’t think Baalke would view him as a pass rusher with 30 1/2″ arms.

  3. Ok, mock draft time.

    Trade 1 (30) and 3 (30) for KC’s 1 (23).

    1 (23 – from KC). Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU

    Trade 2 (24), 3 (13) and 7 (28) for Titans 2 (10) and 4 (12).

    2 (10 – from Titans). Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB/DE, Georgia Tech
    2 (29). Dominique Easley, DT, Florida
    3 (36 – comp). Dontae Johnson, CB/FS, NC State
    4 (12 – from Titans). CJ Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa

    Trade 4 (29) for 5th (mid round) + 6th (mid-round)

    5 (mid-round). Brandon Thomas, OG, Clemson
    5 (30). Storm Johnson, RB, UCF
    6. (mid-round). Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech
    7 (27). Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma
    7 (30). Lonnie Ballentine, FS/SS, Memphis

    I’m sure I’ll get some flak for some of the picks (in particular no CB until round 3), but I believe the 49ers feel confident drafting athletes later on to play CB and coaching them up. Its a philosophy the Steelers have adhered to for a number of years quite successfully too.

    To me this draft would net them 3 players in rounds 1 and 2 that have first round talent, and a CB with first round athletic gifts in the 3rd round. I know Beckham isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I think he’ll be excellent. Attaochu and Easley are two of the most disruptive defensive players in the draft and would be great additions.

    The 4th through 7th rounds would get them a quality TE prospect + some more athletically gifted players to mold.

    1. Dontae Johnson looks like a guy the Seahawks would be targeting. Nice draft Scooter….

    2. One thing I’m starting to feel pretty certain about is that they aren’t going to go WR with their first pick.

      1. I agree. The Niners need a fast WR, and there are plenty of those in rounds 4-5 and 6.

        1. They need a fast AND good WR. Not plenty of those going to be around in rounds 4, 5 or 6.

          1. Maybe not Scooter, but there are three guys in Jeff Janis, John Brown, and Chandler Jones that could be a diamond in the rough on Day Three.

    3. Scooter,

      3 impact players at the top is great but Dontae Johnson in the 3rd is too high for me. I think there will be better CB prospects they can get there. Also don’t like dumping 2 of the first 6 picks but you did well overall from a talent perspective.

    4. Nice work Scooter. Don’t know why the Chiefs would trade with us though unless we dangled LMJ who they seem to be interested in……

    5. Cheers guys. I’ll try and answer some of your questions:

      – There is a bit of talk around at the moment that KC would jump at the chance to trade back in the first round and pick up an extra draft pick – even if a guy like Beckham was available. The 49ers could indeed sweeten the deal with LMJ.

      – Dontae Johnson would be seen in some circles as a reach (e.g., CBS), so I’m not surprised some question a 3rd round pick on him. But for mine he is a superior prospect to guys like SJB or McGill. If he had played more CB the past 2 years he’d be rated higher. In terms of athletic talent he is top notch, and would suit what the 49ers are after. Remember, Culliver was seen as a reach also.

      – While I’d have loved to have held onto more picks in the top 100, getting Beckham, Attaochu and Easley provides (in my mind) 3 1st round calibre players, while as outlined I believe Johnson is an excellent fit with top notch athletic ability. That’s a great haul, and they would be gaining an extra pick in the early/mid 4th round, which isn’t a whole lot worse than having pick 3 (30) anyway.

  4. Claude,
    Yes, I believe KC would be very interested in OBD. I think WR is a top priority for Reid’s WC Offense and I’ve seen OBD mocked to KC on several mock drafts. But, I would be very happy with Scooters board, with the exception that he expected flak on; no CB until 3rd.

    1. Scooter’s proposed trade could work for KC even though they’d love to have OB. They pick up a 3rd for only moving back 7 spots; good value for them in a year with no 2nd rounder. A little pricey for SF, but TB gets one of his targeted guys.

    1. Whaddaya mean? I’ve gotten 3 picks right in the last 6 years. Of course one was Taylor Mays, so not too proud of that one. : >o

  5. Here are the 2013 pre draft visits: The most notable is that Tomsula had dinner with Tank the night before his pro day.

    Running backs
    Le’Veon Bell (Michigan State), personal session at pro day (San Francisco Chronicle)

    Wide receivers
    Tavon Austin (West Virginia), visit, April 2 (Sacramento Bee)
    Tyrone Goard (Eastern Kentucky), private workout (Scout.com)
    Terrell Sinkfield (Northern Iowa), private workout (Associated Press)
    Martel Moore (Northern Illinois), private workout, March 15 (DeKalb Daily Chronicle)
    Perez Ashford (Northern Illinois), private workout, March 15, (DeKalb Daily Chronicle)

    Tight ends
    Travis Kelce (Cincinnati), scheduled visit (Sacramento Bee)
    Zach Ertz (Stanford), workout during local pro day, April 17
    Gavin Escobar (San Diego State), visit, March 18 (Draft Insider)
    Matt Furstenburg (Maryland), private workout (XM/Sirius)

    Offensive linemen
    T Luke Marquardt (Azusa Pacific), offensive line coach Mike Solari spent extended time with him after pro day, April 11 (CSN Bay Area)
    Jordan Mills (Louisiana Tech), private workout (Scout.com)

    Defensive linemen
    NT John Jenkins (Georgia), visit (NFL Network)
    DT Quinton Dial (Alamaba), visit (Scout.com)
    DE Lawrence Okoye (British Olympian in discus), visit, April 10 (Detroit Free Press)
    DT Tank Carradine (Florida State), defensive line coach Jim Tomsula had dinner with him night before pro day

    Linebackers
    Kiko Alonso (Oregon), scheduled to attend 49ers local pro day, April 17 (CSN Bay Area)
    Gerald Hodges (Penn State), visit (Scout.com)

    Cornerbacks
    Tyrann Mathieu (LSU), visit, April 6 (CSN Bay Area)
    D.J. Hayden (Houston), visit, April 15 (XM/Sirius)
    Rashaan Melvin (Northern Illinois), private workout, March 15 (DeKalb Daily Chronicle)

    Safeties
    Eric Reid (LSU) met with 49ers at the combine but there was no visit or private workout
    Jonathan Cyprien (Florida International), visit (Pro Football Talk)
    Duke Williams (Nevada), personal session at pro day (multiple reports)
    Josh Evans (Florida), private workout (Sacramento Bee)
    Jahleel Addae (Central Michigan), visit (Scout.com)

    Special teams
    LS Kevin McDermott (UCLA), private workout (Draft Insider)

    LOCAL PRO DAY
    The 49ers on April 17 will hold a pro day at the team’s Santa Clara practice facility in which draft-eligible players from Cal, Stanford and San Jose State may attend. Also, athletes from the Bay Area who played college ball out of the area are eligible to participate. These visits do not count against the 49ers’ 30-player pre-draft maximum. Here are the players who attended:

    Quarterbacks
    Zach Maynard (Cal), Nate Montana (West Virginia Wesleyan-Concord), Tarik Hakmi (Louisiana Tech-San Jose)

    Running backs
    C.J. Anderson (Cal), Joshua Brown (San Jose State), De’Leon Eskridge (San Jose State), Mike Manuel (Cal), Isi Sofele (Cal)

    Fullbacks
    Kameron Krebs (Cal), Eric Stevens (Oregon-San Jose)

    Wide receivers
    Rashad Evans (Fresno State-Hayward), Aaron Horne (Iowa State-Oakland), Chuck Jacobs (Utah State-Richmond), Jamal-Rashad Patterson (Stanford), Rashad Ross (Arizona State-Vallejo), Mike Scott (Idaho-Palo Alto), Drew Terrell (Stanford), Greg Wilson (Fordham-Danville)

    Tight ends
    Zach Ertz (Stanford), Keenan Brown (San Jose State), Ryan Otten (San Jose State), Peter Tuitupou (San Jose State). Also, Levine Toilolo (Stanford) attended but was not scheduled to work out.

    Offensive line
    Jeremy Galten (USC-San Mateo), David Quessenberry (San Jose State), Sam Schwartzstein (Stanford), Jeremy Sanders (Duquesne-Oakland), Matt Summers-Gavin (Cal)

    Defensive line
    Kendrick Payne (Cal), Aaron Tipoti (Cal), David Tuitupou (San Jose State)

    Linebackers
    Michael Clay (Oregon-San Jose), Alex Debniak (Stanford), Lawrence Hughes (San Diego-Oakland), Kennith Jackson (Cal Poly-Santa Clara), Travis Johnson (San Jose State), Robert Mullins (Cal), Tristan Okpalaugo (Fresno State-Livermore), Kevin Reed (Southern Illinois-Walnut Creek), Albert Rosette (Nevada-Antioch), Sua Tuala (USC-San Mateo). Also, Kiko Alonso (Oregon-Los Gatos), Chase Thomas (Stanford) attended but were not scheduled to work out.

    Defensive backs
    Bernard Harold (Stanford), Allen Chapman (Kansas State), Tyre Ellison (Cal), Josh Hill (Cal), Drew McAllister (USC-Danville), Cullen Newsome (San Jose State), James Orth (San Jose State), Joseph Sampson (BYU-Oakland), Ronnie Yell (San Jose State), Joey York (San Diego-Pleasant Hill)

    Punters
    Aaron Goodwin (Arkansas-Pine Bluff- San Jose), Jackson Rice (Oregon-Moraga), Andrew Shapiro (Fresno State-Walnut Creek), Daniel Zychlinski (Stanford)

    1. Here are the 2012 visits:

      Running backs
      David Wilson, Virginia Tech, visit
      Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati, visit (CSNBayArea.com)
      Robert Turbin, Utah State, visit
      Travaris Cadet, Appalachian State, interview (Scout.com)

      Wide receivers
      Kendall Wright, Baylor, visit (Sacramento Bee)
      Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech, visit (Sacramento Bee)
      Rueben Randle, Iowa, visit
      A.J. Jenkins, Illinois, visit
      Note: Michael Floyd (Notre Dame) cancelled a scheduled visit.

      Center
      Chris Anzevino, Kent State, private workout (Scout.com)
      Defensive end
      Claude Davis, South Florida, visit
      Outside linebacker
      Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, visit (Scout.com)

      Cornerbacks
      Jeremy Lane, Northwestern State, visit (San Francisco Chronicle)
      Jeremy Jones, Wayne State, private workout (Detroit Free Press) Safeties
      Jordan Bernstine, Iowa, private workout (Scout.com)
      Sean Richardson, Vanderbilt, interview (Sports Illustrated)

      1. Good work coffee. How devastating would it be if Tomsula was an 8oz. filet guy? Oh… the humanity.

    1. Bailey would have easily scored on him at the 2:00 mark if the QB had thrown it sooner.

      1. Bailey beats Colvin deep for a touchdown at the 4:00 mark. I think Bailey scored three TDs on Colvin in that game.

        1. Hey Iggy!
          .
          Any idea what round Colvin was pegged for prior to the ACL?
          .
          .
          .
          ~ALOHA~

        2. Grant, where are you going with the Colvin analysis? Do you believe he isn’t worth a 7th round flyer?

    1. We can debate that Mid, but the team won without Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis at different times last season. Kap was their only true offensive playmaker many times last season and all through the playoffs. He is the biggest and best part of their offense and there isn’t another player on this team you can say that about. Everybody else has been replaced at one time or another.

      1. “the team won without Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis at different times last season.”

        Very true, and during that five game stretch that Smith was out the 49ers threw the ball only 35% of the time.

        “Everybody else has been replaced at one time or another.”

        Another very true statement, and it also includes the quarterback.

        1. The QB hasn’t been replaced in a year and a half. Yes Smith played well before Kap, but that doesn’t change the value of Kap to the offense and the team. The QB of this offense plays a huge part in their success, moreso last year when the Niners frequently couldn’t establish a running game and had to rely solely on Kap for offense.

          That’s the part that seems to be conveniently overlooked around here. The offense couldn’t run the ball effectively in two of the 3 playoff games and it fell solely on Kap to be the offense. He is the most valuable player on this team and the biggest reason as to whether they win or lose. He’s not perfect, but he’s also a big reason they win.

          1. “The QB of this offense plays a huge part in their success”

            That’s where we differ. In 2013 this team got itself right and won 5 straight games while throwing the ball on only 35% of their plays, and overall they have been near the bottom of the league in pass attempts since 2011.

            Harbaugh has a system that provides very simple reads for the QB, and doesn’t ask them to do too much. The guy was able to beat a #1 ranked USC team in LA with Tavita Pritchard running his offense.

            1. There are a lot of things to memorize and be in control of for the QB of this offense. I also was specifically pointing to the fact the QB (Kap) was the offense a lot of the time both passing and running. They don’t win without him in GB or even make it close in Seattle.

              1. “That’s pure speculation.”

                I agree, Jack. No offense, Rocket, but that particular line of reasoning always bothers me. We have no way of knowing how the games would play out in different circumstances. The game plan would be different. Different personnel formations would be used in different situations. The opposing team would focus on different aspects of the offense. The variables are more numerous than the mere substitution of Player B for Player A.

              2. Jack, JPN,

                You are both correct in that it is speculation on my part, but I base the speculation on the fact Seattle had the best pass defense in the league and the Niners could not run the ball. We saw in the SB how badly Seattle can destroy a traditional pocket QB. Kap gave the Niners a chance to win with his legs as much or more than with his arm. vs. GB, I believe the same thing because the same thing happened. The running game was serviceable at best and they relied on Kap to be most of the offense both running and passing.

                I understand the view that anybody can play in this offense; what I don’t agree with is that anybody can excel in this offense, and more importantly, most cannot do what Kap has shown he can do.

            2. Jack the 9ers may have won those games while only throwing 35% of the time but that does’nt take into consideration how many yards on the ground CK had during the games they were running 65% of the time. CK’s legs are a large part of the equasion when it comes to 9er victories.

              1. Coach,

                During that 5 game stretch Kaepernick accounted for 165 yards rushing on 26 attempts, while the rest of the offense accounted for 757 yards rushing on 164 attempts.

              2. old coach, Jack:

                Looking at his rushing totals for each game during the entire 2013 regular season, Kaepernick averaged 35 yards/game rushing in the 49ers’ 12 victories and 37 yards/game in the 49ers’ 4 losses.

            3. While I agree with your overall view of the offense, Jack, I think relying on pass attempts alone is misleading with respect to this particular quarterback in this particular offense. Kaepernick provides offense outside of the traditional passing role of the QB position, which is the aspect Rocket is highlighting, I believe, especially with respect to the playoff games.

              Having said that, I do agree he is not essential to Harbaugh’s offense. While he is frequently the most dangerous weapon on the field (just as he was at Nevada), the offense would churn along without him so long as the QB was competent and willing to buy in to Harbaugh’s system. That is not to say I would get rid of Kap — if he can improve in a few areas, I think he can take this offense to the same level Luck did at Stanford, if not beyond. But believing he can take it to the next level is not the same as saying that he is essential to maintaining it at the current level.

            4. Hammer,
              And CK was able to almost singlehandedly beat a very good ranked Boise St. team with Harbaugh nowhere in sight. He also beat Cal (who came in highly favored) with his legs and arms. As a huge Cal Bear fan I had to come away from that game convinced that CK was a special talent.

              We could all spend hours providing stats for and against CK, but as I said earlier, he is now and likely will be our QB for the foreseeable future.
              A season and a half does not make an elite QB. Kaep will need to work on many facets of the game, but I can’t see any other QB (even P.Manning) who can give a chance to win from week to week and in the playoffs as CK can.

              Are there QB’ in the league that have put up better stats than CK? Yes.
              Can anyone of those QB’ have put us in the SB last year? I’m not so sure.

              Of those QB’ with better stats than Kaep only two made it to the SB and the one with the best QB pedigree (PM) got hammered! (no pun intended).

              1. AES,

                While the skinny kid who wore #10 in Silver and Blue is my favorite Nevada player of all time, and to this day the most exciting player I have ever watched in person (and I saw Randall Cunningham play at UNLV), it is not accurate to claim he beat Boise State “almost singlehandedly” in 2010. The Wolf Pack defense played a great second half against a Bronco’s offense that was rolling over everyone they had faced before. Furthermore, the Bronco’s suffered several self-inflicted wounds in the second half, including a missed field goal at the end of regulation and a missed field goal in overtime.

                That is not to say it was not a great game, or a great performance by Kap. He always played great against Boise State (even in three tough losses), and that 2010 game is the likely the greatest Nevada Wolf Pack game ever. But that was a team win, one they had been working toward for several years, and they had to rely on Boise’s mistakes as well.

                As to your comment that he did not have Harbaugh coaching him in the games you mentions, while that is true, Kap did have Chris Ault coaching him, a coach who led his team from Division II to Division 1A over his tenure, and who made that team successful at every level; a coach who, through the course of his career, won with traditional running offenses, spread passing offenses, and the pistol offense; a coach who maximized Kap’s incredible skills while minimizing his deficiencies by incorporating option reads into his offense and focusing on play action in the passing game; and a coach who, had he not been incredibly loyal to Nevada, his alma mater, could have coached a major program. Yes, Kap was a great player at Nevada, but Chris Ault was a great coach too, and he created the framework in which Kap could be great.

              2. That was a great game. Kaepernick definitely solidified in my mind that he could play on Sundays during that game…..

      2. , but the team won without Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis at different times last season

        And players like Corey Lemonier, Dan Skuta, Michael Wilhoite, Glenn Dorsey, and Tony Jerod-Eddie stepped up in their place without missing a beat. Like I said Rocket, our DL and LBs are the biggest strength of our team. No debate needed at all.

        1. MidWest,

          Eric Davis said the same thing as you, but that the trouble with Aldon and Bowman makes Kaepernick the key.

          1. I disagree with that thought though Jack. The key is how well Lemonier, Skuta, Wilhoite, and whomever they draft can effectively step in plus the look of Carradine and Jerod-Eddie and, again whoever they draft on the DL.

              1. Interesting. I’d have said the RBs, but I think I see where you are going – Vernon helps open up the running game and short/ intermediate routes as a vertical threat.

              2. Davis is one cog in the wheel. They won games in 2012 without Davis catching a ball or even being targeted for that matter. If they can’t run the ball they struggle. It’s the key to the offense the way it’s set up. Everything comes off of the running game. Seattle is exactly the same. Their offense is predicated on the running game first and the pass second.

              3. That’s exactly it Scooter. The value of Davis goes far beyond him catching passes. Even when he isn’t targeted by the QB the defense has to key on him which opens up the field for the other receivers. Then you look at his ability to block in the run game and you start to see the whole picture.

        2. None of the 3 commenters said the defense was the strength of the team in any area. Davis said Kap, and the other two said Oline and total offense respectively. The injury to Bowman does play a part obviously, but Kap and the running game are the key to this team doing well. If they get the running game going and Kap doesn’t turn the ball over they usually win. When they don’t, they lose, unless Kap has a great day running the ball. This team hasn’t lived through it’s defense since halfway through 2011.

          Another thing I want to point out is that this offense that is apparently not reliant on the QB very much needed some pretty great performances out of Andrew Luck, Alex Smith and Kap to succeed. Luck still plays in a similar offense. Not just any QB can come in and do what these guys did and it’s pretty simplistic to think so. Just have a look at Kevin Hogan.

          1. Rocket,

            At 1:28 T Davis says that the defense is where their strength lies” and at 2:43 E Davis says “the only reason I didn’t go defense was the linebacking corps. The trouble with Aldon Smith and no Navarro Bowman.”

            Kevin Hogan? He makes my point. He’s just another guy.

            1. Jack,

              I clearly said the injury to Bowman plays a part and the trouble with Smith does as well. Davis said if healthy the LB core is the best in the league and the #1 strength of the team and I don’t disagree with that. The question is right now what is the strength of the team and Davis said it’s Kap, along with the other guy who went on about how Kap doesn’t get enough credit for what he’s done.

              This team can win with so so defense, we saw it in the 2012 playoffs. What they usually can’t win without is a running game, whether it be the RB’s or Kap. Kap is the MVP of this team because he can give them offense even if the running game is taken away as it was a few times this season.

              Hogan is just another guy, and Stanford can’t win without their defense holding the score down because he isn’t very good. That’s the point. Not just any QB can come in and lead this team to a SB. There are times the Niners need great play from their QB’s and Luck, Smith and Kap have given it to Harbaugh. Kevin Hogan doesn’t for David Shaw.

              1. Stanford and the 49ers are almost mirror images of each other. Their systems are almost identical and both rely on a strong running game and defense to win.

                In the 2012 postseason they gave up 17 points to GB until a garbage time TD, and against Atlanta the defense held the Falcons scoreless in the second half.

                You like Kaepernick, I do to. Where we differ in his importance to the success of the team. I think that Harbaugh could put almost anyone at QB and win 10 games with the way his offense is structured and their defense.

              2. They’re similar, but they have many fundamental differences. Hash marks are closer in the NFL, which means the plays are confined to the middle. 18′-6″(NFL) versus 40′(NCAA). A lot more unbalanced formations in college, utilizing the space towards the sideline on both sides of the football. The difference in where the play lines up has a huge impact, because of the spacing on the field. Splits are different and how they’re denoted. The college numbers are closer to the sidelines, whereas in the NFL, they’re 12-14 yards away. The landmarks, quarterback windows are shifted, offensive and defensive players are different. The only thing that is the exact same is how the huddle if formed, and I believe they use the Bill Walsh West Coast language too…..

              3. Harbaugh said the same thing when he was hired. The main thing is working out alignments and landmarks as a result of the hash marks.

                Go back and watch the end of the game against USC. The redzone play that Hogan throws an interception on is the exact same play you see the 49ers use as a staple of their redzone passing offense.

                It’s trips with the inside guys running verticals to pick off the #2 defender with the outside receiver coming in underneath. The same play that Delanie Walker scored the game winning TD against Detroit with.

              4. Jack,

                You like Kaepernick, I do to. Where we differ in his importance to the success of the team. I think that Harbaugh could put almost anyone at QB and win 10 games with the way his offense is structured and their defense.

                That’s possible, but to win 13 and 12 in back to back seasons along with multiple playoff wins takes a better QB than that. What the QB is asked to do and what he can do are two very different things. I think Kap has allowed Harbaugh to change his offense to a degree because of his overall talent. We’ll probably see it taken to another level this year.

              5. “but to win 13 and 12 in back to back seasons along with multiple playoff wins takes a better QB than that.”

                So far Kaepernick hasn’t led the team to win 13 and 12 games in back to back seasons.

                As far as multiple playoff wins, meh, Mark Sanchez had the same playoff record his first two years as a starter and guys like Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson have Super Bowl rings.

                “What the QB is asked to do and what he can do are two very different things.”

                Sure they are.

                “I think Kap has allowed Harbaugh to change his offense to a degree because of his overall talent.”

                Nah. The offense is the same as it always has been. The run/pass ratio, the use of personnel groups, and the plays themselves show that.

                “We’ll probably see it taken to another level this year.”

                We’ll see.

              6. So far Kaepernick hasn’t led the team to win 13 and 12 games in back to back seasons.

                Sure he has. It was half a season but he led them in the second half and the playoffs and won a lot of games. Going 12-4 last year without Crabtree most of the season was even more impressive.

                As far as multiple playoff wins, meh, Mark Sanchez had the same playoff record his first two years as a starter and guys like Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson have Super Bowl rings.

                You need to let this Sanchez stuff go. Sanchez was a bottom 3rd of the league QB every year who had a couple of good games in the playoffs. Kap has been top ten, won 20 of 29 games overall and has played well in the playoffs. There is no comparison to be made here. There’s no doubt you can win with an average QB in some instances but the examples are few compared to the ones won by a team with a good QB.

                Nah. The offense is the same as it always has been. The run/pass ratio, the use of personnel groups, and the plays themselves show that.

                Harbaugh didn’t run the pistol very often until Kap became the starter. Kap is also adept at throwing outside of the pocket which allows them to move the pocket more than they did previously. It’s still a run first offense, but Kaps athleticism and arm allow them to do more than they could with Smith.

  6. If it’s true that Culliver’s legal issues are not as bad as we first thought, then they will not be drafting a CB in the first round. I highly doubt they draft a CB first pick anyway. It will be WR. It’s our most critical need.

    Boldin is aging, and Crabs may want too much money. They have to get one quality guy in here now. And that’s if Patton is legit. Otherwise we need two WR’s now. Remember, young WR’s need to marinate on the sideline for a while. CB’s can come in and play right away.

    Brandin Cooks will look good in a Niner uniform…..

    1. I agree that WR should be a top priority, but I still don’t think CB should be overlooked. We have no idea what’s going to happy with Cully, and I doubt they’ll know by the start of the draft. Fortunately he’s a fist time offender, I think. Even if he’s in, we don’t know if that ACL will be an issue. Brock is a solid #2, after that it gets blurry. I liked Cooks coming out and am really hopeful he can turn it around. Cox should be good in the nickel or dime. We’re really missing that guy next to Brock. I would be good either way if they went CB 1st and WR 2nd. I’m really starting to like Moncrief a lot. He’ll take a little time to develop, but he has what you look for Speed, height, etc.

      Either way I wouldn’t be surprised to see 2 of each position drafted. But I also expect this draft to be defense heavy.

      I really hope they bring the draft back to April next year, this is killing me!

  7. MWD
    Kaep receives more credit for losses than for victories with some here. It is what it is.
    What I find amusing is that some who post here think that a rookie can come in and unseat CK.

    Eric Davis’ comments this morning on NFL am have merit because he has watched CK play every week. ED brings a fans as well as a former player’s view point on his analysis of Kaep.

    Kaep is the 49ers present and future QB whether some agree or not. And we don’t win without him, period.

    1. Where would this team be without the strength of the LB and DL AES? Kaep may be a strength but he isn’t THE strength. It doesn’t matter what Kaep can or can’t do on the field because it would amount to squat without those units being what they are.

      1. MWD,
        I was validating Eric Davis’ comments on “NFL am” this morning.

        There seems to be speculation from a few that this offense can win with another QB at the helm.
        The reality is that Harbaugh/Baalke don’t agree with that notion, and honestly, I wouldn’t want this team to be put in a situation (if CK is injured) to find out if that notion holds true or not.

        NFL QB’s consequently get credit for losses and wins there is no escaping that.
        I’m not sure where that thought became vogue, but in my book it’s far from the truth.
        I gave CK my nod as the most valuable player on offense because I believe he gives us the best chance at winning.

        Arguably the greatest QB of all-time (Joe Montana) may not have a won a SB if the defense didn’t make perhaps the best goal line stand of any SB in history.
        Joe Montana get’s credit for the win, but who knows what the outcome would have been had not the defense and Dan ‘freakin’ Bunz making a tackle on the 1 one yrd line to stop the Bengals scoring threat.

        Fast-forward to the championship game against the c-hawks last year. CK get’s credit for the loss. But it was Donte Whitner that allows over a 50 yrd pass from Wilson to be completed after being chased in the backfield for about an hour.

        It was the defense that relaxed on a TD pass from Wilson to Kearse after a flag was thrown.

        Again, I believe that CK gives us the best chance at winning. It’s a bitter pill to swallow with losses coming in the SB and in the championship game, but imo we don’t get to those games without Kaep.

      2. Mid,

        You can say that about most QB’s in this league including everybody’s favorite son in Seattle.

    2. AES….’just me again disagreeing with you, but you’re seeing the bigger picture as to what happens to the ‘system’ if or when CK gets injured? Maybe we can see if Billy Kilmer is still available. We got away with a gimmick offense, now everyone’s heard the joke. Don’t win without him….baloney. (nothing personal; really)

  8. I agree with AES and Rocket about Kaep, but I would add that we lost those games where VD was missing too, so I think he’s also pretty hard to replace. We’ve been extremely fortunate with Frank’s health also and while I’m reluctant to say so for fear of a jinx, I don’t think we fare too well without Frank either.

  9. Note to Coach Harbaw:
    shake it,
    bake it…
    do whatever you can with the draft; however….
    you must win the Super Bowl next year or…
    YOU….. SUCK….. EGGS……..again.

    I am the Super Bowl monkey and
    I approve of this message.

  10. Hey Loser,

    Why don’t you go pull the wings off of flies or something? Alex Smith is never coming back! He’s gone! Get over it and find something worthwhile to do with your sad life. You are the poor wretch that sucks eggs around here, not Jim Harbaugh. Give it up man, enough already.

  11. Note to “Bar None”…

    if you look up the phrase “poor wretch”
    in the dictionary (or just Google it), and
    you will see a picture of Jim Harbaw.

    While I go pull the wings off flies, howzabout
    you try and extract the chewing gum from
    Coach Pete Carroll’s smiling pie hole, okay?

    Equal work/time for equal pay.
    Until Harbaw brings home Lombardi trophy #6,
    he is his own worst enemy. I am just a heckler.

    My money says Alex Smith and the Chiefs
    go deeper into the playoffs next year than we do.

  12. Monkey, if the Niners don’t win the Superbowl, then I would be thrilled if Alex and KC did. Don’t believe he has a prayer, but it would be cool. Anyway,nobody around here likes the way the last three seasons abruptly ended, but Harbaugh is the best Coach we’ve had here since Seifert, maybe even since Walsh. Do you promise to go away after Harbaugh does win #6 for us? If so, do your thing until then and I’ll just try to ignore you, okay?

  13. If you want to see the 49ers play the Giants in New York you need to plan on being there November 16.

  14. Uh oh. The perfect, clean cut image that has been cultivate around Russell Wilson is about to take a hit.

    1. Let’s wait for the TMZ report so we know we’re getting the straight scoop, LOL.
      Actually, it’s unfortunate and difficult enough for two people without it being in the public domain. I thought his statement was dignified.

    1. That would be a shock and a severe reach imo. That’s nothing but falling in love with a big arm.

      1. I like the idea of our secondary getting tested by a strong WR tandem, although I will admit that the thought of watching the Cowboys getting taken to the cleaners is absolutely delicious.

  15. Reliable sources report that Niners will open in Dallas and come home to host the Bears.

    1. Nothing like kicking the Cowboys ass in their own house to get the 2014 Campaign underway….

  16. I thought this was a football blog.
    If its not a 49ers blog then call it a sports blog. Other please post relevant stuff.

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