49ers 30, Lions 27: Grades

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1. Jim Harbaugh did not criticize his quarterbacks because they were all limited an needed to be propped up. Shanahan can criticize Garoppolo because he has almost unlimited potential and I suspect that he is tough mentally and will grow with the high expectations. I think Shanahan knows exactly what he is doing. Belicheck is always tough on Brady.

   1. Brady and Belichick have a 17 year history together. They have also won 5 rings together.
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      Their relationship is unique, and special.
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      It will take years for KS and JG to develop a similar bond.

      1. Belichick was tough on Brady from day one. Great coaches know how to motivate and and get the best from players, especially their stars. Walsh was always demanding of Montana. I think that Grant is misreading the growing dynamic between Shanahan and Garoppolo. What they achieve together will be fun to watch in the coming years.

         1. After Brady came in for Bledsoe and saved the day, I bet Belichick did not ride him as much.
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            I have seen Brady berate his receivers, but I have NEVER seen Belichick cussing out Brady on the side line.

      2. You’re right JG holds on to the football to long. He’s just asking to be sack.

2. I think I said earlier that Shanahan may stick to his system above all other considerations. I believe that your observation on him may underscore it.

3. WR….. No help. But I also expected Kittle to be the difference maker. Bummer. I’d definitely be calling Josh Gordon.

   1. There were three holding penalties on Detroit defenders playing against Kittle. One of those could have easily been a touchdown if the defender that not grabbed and held onto Kittle.

4. Looking forward to Foster and Goodwin returning next week.

   1. Me too.

      Foster and Warner on the field at the same time will give the DBs better support in coverage. I thought Lee played to his best ability but was out of position a lot as he’s figuring it out.

5. Big win today. Seemed like the 49ers kinda lost focus when Blount was ejected and momentum swung the other way.

   It’s only been two games, but Breida looks a lot more comfortable catching the ball this year. That TD run was clocked up perfectly.

   1. Interesting…to what do you attribute the change?

   2. It does look like Breida is getting better as a pass catcher. He’s still got a ways to go before he runs routes like McKinnon, but I thought Breida looked great all around yesterday. I think Breida is more in the mold for what Kyle needs in a featured RB in 2018, as compared to Morris, but Morris has his strengths, and Morris also caught both of his targets yesterday for 32 yards.

      These 2 are growing on me as a RB tandem, and I expect Kyle to continue to work these guys into a similar role as McKinnon, as the season progresses. Like I said last week, it’s not going to happen overnight. It takes time to get these individual players up to speed with certain plays and certain concepts because guys only get a limited number of opportunities to run these plays in practice.

      More week 2 observations:

      – Kittle needs to work on securing the catch

      – another disappointing game for Thomas, who seems to be slipping further and further down the depth chart. I guess we can officially shelve the nickname “King” to describe him

      – Big difference in the way the right side of the OL played yesterday with Mike Person at guard. In fact, Matt Breida was dominate running over the right side of the line. I’ll breath easier once Garnett is back on the active roster

      – There seems to be something fundamentally wrong with the way the 49ers DL is lining up on passing downs, leaving huge gaping spaces for opposing QB’s to step up into

      – Jimmy does indeed seem less decisive this season. I think the primary cause is the mental pressure. I think we’ll see a much looser QB as the season progresses

      – Kyle and Jimmy have been taking limited deep shots downfield, and I think it’s clear just how badly this offense misses Goodwin’s ability to stretch the field. That’s why I’d be open to taking a chance on “Flash” Gordon, provided the NFL isn’t about to announce another failed drug test

      – Where is Trent Taylor?

      – Jimmy Ward is a mess. There simply is nowhere to hide him

      1. Thomas played the run well.

   3. Hey Jack, I’ve calculated the 49ers RB’s gained 124 yards on 12 carries over the right side of the OL. That’s an average of 10.3 YPC.

      Any quables with those calculations?

      1. KS was being deceptive, stating that Toran would be starting. Sure am glad Person played through an injury, and did well.
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         I hope the Niners dial up some delayed blitzes up the middle.
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         Taylor is still recovering from back surgery, and needs to get into football shape. He missed the OTAs and Mini camp.
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         Flash will just be a flash in the pan.

   4. Hey Jack, my calculations have the 49ers RB’s gaining a whopping 124 yards on 12 carries over the right side of their OL yesterday. That calculates to 10.3 YPC!

      Matt Breida leads the league in rushing going into Monday Night’s contest, with the majority of those yards coming over the right side of the OL.

      I’m curious …. do you have any quibbles with these numbers this week?

6. We don’t have the personnel to compete at the playoff level.

   1. I noticed a lot of empty seats. What gives. Perhaps fans dont want to bake in the sun for 3 hours. Jed did not design a fan friendly stadium

   2. I change my prediction from 10 niner wins to 7 or 8.

   3. We have a horrendous secondary . How bad you ask? Witherspoon was benched in favor of Ward.

   4. Garcon is a pretty good #2 receiver. Pettis is a good trick play guy but I dont see him as a 8 /120/1 type of receiver. I dont think he could physically hold up. Goodwin is also not a 8 catches a game type of receiver and has a history of nagging injuries. We need a true #1 receiver. It has been an issue for many years.

   5. Celek should be used in the Redzone more.

   6. I disagree with Grants comment during the game that Breida is significantly better than Morris. They both have unique skills which benefit the team.

   7. Next 4: Chiefs, Chargers, Cards, Packers

   8. Will Mahomes pass for 500 yards and 5 TD against us?

   1. “We don’t have the personnel to compete at the playoff level.”

      Agreed. Really need a pass rush. Any good QB will carve us up.

   2. It was 75 degrees in Santa Clara. If fans are that soft, then sell your damn tickets.

      This talk about sun is tired and busted. This isn’t Arizona, stfu already. I noticed a ton of empty seats in DC for the Redskins game…is it too hot there?

   3. Come on Rollo,

      – Perhaps fans don’t want to bake in the sun for 3 hours. Bake in the sun for 3 hours? Say what? The temperature during game time yesterday hit a high of 76 degrees dude.

      – Pettis is a good trick play guy, but I don’t see him as a 8/120/1 type of receiver. Actually, he muffed the one trick play of which he had his name called yesterday. However, the rookie Pettis is on pace for 768 yards receiving and 8 TD’s during his 2018 first season …. as a rookie. If you mean 8 receptions for 120 yards and 1 TD is out of his range at any point in his career, I suggest you rethink that idea.

      – Breida is in fact the better RB of the two, based on the kinds of schemes Kyle is working into his game plans this season. Primarily due to his ability to hit the outside zone scheme fast and hard, though Breida has even found some success on the inside stuff. That said, he and Morris compliment each other pretty well.

      – Goodwin may not be the most durable WR, but he’s missed 1 game in his last 2 seasons prior to this flukey, deep quad contusion. Injuries happen to 190 lb WR. That said, he was absolute money for the Niners last season, especially once the 49ers found a QB who could deliver the football, and my guy tells me he’ll come back strong this season, perhaps as early nas next week.

      – Will Mahomes pass for 500 yards and 5 TD’s against us next week? The answer is NO HE WILL NOT. Like Sherman said yesterday, every game is different. The 49ers could very well have their top 2 ILB’s playing for the first time next week. That changes the equation.

      One area I do agree with you Rollo is with Celek. I’d like to see him utilized more in the redzone. If there is one area of weakness haunting this offense it’s redzone efficiency. That’s one reason I was lobbying for ShanaLynch to find a big, strong, and tall redzone target last offseason. The big, sure handed WR out of Florida State, Auden Tate (6’5″ 230 lbs, 33 3/4 arms, 9 1/2 inch hands, who highpoints and attacks the ball, plucking it out of the air) would have been an intriguing late round option, IMO. He made the Bengals 53, and he’ll have his named called at some point in the next couple seasons.

   4. Witherspoon is ill.

7. “He returned from a foot sprain and made one of the key blocks during Breida’s 66-yard touchdown run. The 49ers might not have won this game without Person.”

   Person and Celek on the first line, and McGlinchey on the second line, all had great blocks. And then of course, Garcon’s blocks to clear the path to the end zone. That was great execution by many guys as well as Breida of course.

   There were many instances of good run blocking tonight. Pass protection, not so much….

8. I agree. KS is hypercritical of JG, especially on the side line and in the pressers. He should criticize behind closed doors, and present a public face that is neutral, if not positive.
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   It is interesting to note that KS whined in the press about how critical stories by journalists can negatively affect players. Imagine what a side line rant, telling him to set his frigging feet, will do to a player’s psyche.
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   KS should read about what Bill Walsh said about how the HC interacts with his players, and his thoughts on dealing with the press.

   1. I loved Bill Walsh. The best coach ever in my book.

      However, Shanahan should not take Walsh as his model for working with the press. When dealing with the press Walsh was thin skinned, complaining and occasionally threw his players under the buss. His wise words about relationships only cam after he retired.

      1. Yup!!

      2. Yup, listen to his wise words after he retired. Look at how he behaved earlier to see that everyone can improve.
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         Considering the slings and arrows directed at Walsh while the team went 2-14, it is no wonder that Bill Walsh contemplated quitting in 1980. Eddie got a lot of grief back then, but now, everyone loves him.

9. Grades seem fair Grant.

   The Rams obliterated the Cardinals and Vikings/Packers split their game. As things stand, the NFC South looks like it might easily have 3 playoff teams.

   So winning this game was pivotal. But, no matter which team does what, if the 9ers play such a sloppy game, the season will be over before the bye week.

   1. 49ers will be 2-2 when they play their next game at Levi’s.

      1. You think they will beat the chargers? The chargers usually start slow and then pick up speed.

10. I have been pleasantly surprised by this defense, even without an edge rush they’ve looked solid against the pass, good against the run (should be better with foster), and the interior rush has been ok. That being said, Mahomes and Hill are going to have a field day, might be a long day.

    1. You might be right. But the Chiefs secondary is worse than ours. I don’t think we will win, but is will be fun to watch!

       1. Exactly, the Chiefs defense as whole is trash. 28 to SD and 37 to Pitt.

          Now that we are talking about it though, watch them come and throw a shutout on the Niners…

11. Why is DJ Reed not mentioned or Mosert? Both played awesome on special teams. With Richie James, Pettis, and Reed returning kicks and punts, we’re going to have at least two to three legitimate, non-penality, returns for TD’s this season. Book it.

12. Solomon Thomas….. man what can I say? His teammates call him affectionally “Solly” I think they mean “Sorry”. I tried to be optimistic but its time to realize he was not worth the 3rd pick in the draft. The 49ers cannot draft well when they have a high draft choice and for some strange reason seem to hit on late round picks, we got lucky with Foster falling to us and Fred Warner was a solid late round choice. I’ll take that. Ronald Blair or Sheldon Day should be starting. “Sorry” will be out of the league or a journeyman player in the next 3 years’ feel that KC will win the game next week and Witherspoon will be torch and benched… Tavarus Moore anyone?

    1. Are you through with your diatribe?

       1. Diatribe? Hmm lets see “a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.” My comment was neither forceful nor bitter , just an observation about a player who has not lived up to his high draft status.
          Chris Biderman of the Sac Bee wrote:”A lot is expected of pass rushers taken at the top of the NFL draft. That was the burden Solomon Thomas entered the league with last season after he was tapped with the third-overall selection.Players like Von Miller (No. 2, 2011), Khalil Mack (No. 5, 2014) and Joey Bosa (No. 3, 2016) are all considered some of the best sack artists in the NFL and entered 2018 atop the list of favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year. The 49ers would love to see Thomas insert himself into that tier, eventually.But it appears the Stanford alum is further away than the club would like.Thomas in Week 1 played just 35 snaps (49 percent), the fourth fewest on the defensive line behind Arik Armstead (59 snaps), DeForest Buckner (54) and Cassius Marsh (39).”

          Grant Cohen wrote— “When the 49ers drafted Solomon Thomas with the third pick in 2017, they thought they’d get a Pro Bowl defensive lineman, an elite interior pass rusher. Not a mere part-time player.Now, they see Thomas for what he is: A mere part-time player. He was a designated run defender last Sunday. He played defensive end when the coaches expected the Minnesota Vikings to run, and didn’t play when the coaches expected the Vikings to pass.“He’s a really good run defender,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said about Thomas on Thursday. “ His Own Defensive Coordinator.

          So before you start throwing words around that you don’t understand and obviously heard someone use and thought “Gee that’s a big word,” do some research and try to know what you’re talking about. Now that’s a “diatribe”.

13. “Jim Harbaugh never criticized his quarterbacks publicly. He understood a team can’t win if its quarterback loses confidence.”

    And Harbaugh gave the 49ers their first Super Bowl loss, so a lot of good his QB coddling did the franchise.

    I rewatched the press conference and didn’t think Shanahan was being all that critical of Garoppolo, just blunt and to the point. Can’t see how anything he said has the potential to emotionally damage Garoppolo. If JG is that sensitive, he’s in the wrong business.

14. Bring in Eric Reid. Tartt is soft

15. Jimmy has the contract. Jimmy not going anywhere. Jimmy also needs to develop into an elite QB. Kyle can get him there. Jimmy smart to stick with Kyle, no matter what the post game comments are.

    Kyle can develop players. Harbs cannot, could not. “Who’s got it better than hs?”. I mean, fer f&$ks sake, really?

16. 49ers miss Goodwin. Also what happened to Trent Taylor? He was the go-to guy on third down last season. Has completely disappeared.

    1. I think Taylors missing much of Training camp plays a lot into that. Give it time he will get back into the swing soon.

       1. Taylor’s absence is because of the playcallling …..KS is over the place….no rhythm

17. Jimmy definitely was not that good this last game. Still it’s good to get the bad games over with so he can learn and improve from them.

    Breida has always been explosive when he got a lane to run through. As Shanahan always states you have to judge a player by how well he does with the opportunities they are presented with. With Breida’s speed those open lanes usually turn into big gains and often TD’s. In Shanahans scheme there are often no holes at all, but when they appear they can result in huge gains. That is why fast backs are more effective in theis system.

18. That TD catch was NOT over Colbert, Grant. Witherspoon failed to move over to cover the receiver as Colbert forced him back toward the sideline. Definitely was Witherspoon’s fault. He is not an NFL corner.

19. Agree with all your Grades except coaching. I know Sherman said post game he thought Saleh called a “brilliant game” but that doesn’t pass the smell test, IMO.. Both Saleh and Shanahan burned all three of their TO’s with a little less than 3 minutes to go in the game. Burning them essentially for miscommunication/poor game management.. I am not sold on either of these coaches. They have a young team with good athletes. The proof in the pudding will be if they get better off their coaching or not. So far 18 games into their tenure I don’t see any improvement.

    1. While I have been stating many times that the Niners should consider time outs to be precious, and saved for legitimate challenges, and the last 2 minutes of each half, they used them wisely. It is much better to burn a time out, and prevent another penalty, than incur a penalty that might lead to a free play for their offense.
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       I agree. Ideally, they should be prepared enough to avoid those game management troubles. However, they did have a 17 point lead, and did not need to stop the clock for a last second comeback. If Detroit did score to take a lead, then the Niners would have been in a world of hurt.
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       KS better learn how to finish games. He failed in the SB, and needed a questionable call from a ref away from the play to save this last game.

    2. Hmmm, my comment did not post, so here it is again. Pardon if the lost one resurfaces.
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       I have stated many times that the Niners should consider time outs to be precious, and saved for legitimate challenges and the last 2 minutes of each half. They did burn them, but they were used to prevent penalties, which is a wise use. Ideally, the coaching should be crisp and efficient enough to avoid the miscommunications and game management troubles. This is an area in which they can improve upon.
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       Thankfully, the Niners had a 17 point lead and did not need them to stop the clock to mount a last second drive. However, if Detroit had managed to score, the Niners would have been in a world of hurt for burning their time outs.

       1. Your comment did post. You were self-absorbed, enamoring your writing style that you purposely hit ‘enter’ twice.

20. I was not impressed. The 49ers got lucky on penalty breaks, Jimmy continues to have an interception problem IMO and it should have cost the game for them , pure luck it turned out differently. The game should have been a complete blowout for the 49ers and turns into a should have been loss. They will lose a few games this year on the same note.

    1. Jimmy’s “interception” problem is primarily technique,–looking off DBs and avoiding a lock on a receiver (the called-back INT was pure eye lock by him). We’ll see if it’s something he can improve on during the season, but it seems that he needs a solid off-season to correct this.

       1. Jimmy has demonstrated good eye discipline in the past. I really feel that Jimmy was overly tentative due to his 3 picks last week. I’m sure that KS made a bit off a challenge to Jimmy to slow down his gunslinger act a bit. I TOTALLY understand the importance of turnovers and how they affect the games outcome. But dont OVER coach the guy Shanny, definitely not to the point that he becomes a statue back there.
          Also lets not place this all at Shanny or Jimmy’s feet. We have seen several miscommunications, slips and falls, balls bouncing off guys, and missed route adjustments from receivers.
          It’s been 2 games guys. Long term, Jimmy is gonna be our guy for many more ups than downs.

       2. Let’s hope this can be corrected, I do want to see them have a winning season.

21. Don’t disagree with the grades, but disagree with your assessment that KS threw Jimmy under the bus. Here’s Kyle’s more detailed response to a question about Jimmy getting sacked four or five times:

    “There’s a fine line with that and I’ll watch the tape tonight and tomorrow, but I’m not saying it’s just him. Guys can beat man coverage faster and make that a lot easier. I can call some better plays to help guys having an easier job getting open and when they aren’t we can make some tighter throws or we can block a little bit longer to give him a chance to look at it longer. I know we took too many sacks. By no means are all those on the quarterback, but when you do go against man, which they only play in the redzone and we’ve got some stuff going, we’ve got to do everything we can to avoid those sacks.”

    I also listened to Jimmy’s presser and he sure didn’t sound like I guy who felt “beaten down” by his coach. It sounded to me like he recognized his culpability in the sacks and plans to try to correct it next week.

22. Don’t disagree with the grades, but disagree with your assessment that KS threw Jimmy under the bus. Here’s Kyle’s more detailed response to a question about Jimmy getting sacked four or five times:

    “There’s a fine line with that and I’ll watch the tape tonight and tomorrow, but I’m not saying it’s just him. Guys can beat man coverage faster and make that a lot easier. I can call some better plays to help guys having an easier job getting open and when they aren’t we can make some tighter throws or we can block a little bit longer to give him a chance to look at it longer. I know we took too many sacks. By no means are all those on the quarterback, but when you do go against man, which they only play in the redzone and we’ve got some stuff going, we’ve got to do everything we can to avoid those sacks.”

    I also listened to Jimmy’s presser and he sure didn’t sound like a guy who was “beaten down” by his coach. He sounded like a guy who recognized his culpability in taking the sacks.

23. Niners look like a 6-7 win team right now. We have some very good talent in a few spots, but merely adequate at others and depth – which was suspect to begin with – has been hurt with injuries. What’s sad to this longtime fan (hello, Charlie Krueger) is that the NFL meat grinder seems to be working more intensely than ever, with players dropping like flies. And it’s not just concussions.

    Jimmy G looks fairly good but not yet great, and it will be interesting to watch his development. The thing that continues to make me the happiest is seeing Shanahan’s system – gaping holes for the running backs, open receivers downfield. If Jimmy G is going to become great, he’s in the right place.

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