Jimmy Garoppolo’s overcorrection after Week 1 interceptions nearly cost 49ers against Lions

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo was scared to mess up. And Kyle Shanahan told him about it.

After throwing three interceptions during the 49ers 24-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Week 1, Garoppolo didn’t want to throw more picks against the Lions Week 2. So, he held the ball and took six sacks. He overcorrected.

“That’s something he’ll go through throughout this year,” Shanahan said Monday during his press conference. “We’ll go through it with him, and we’ll learn as we go.”

The 49ers still beat the Lions 30-27, but Shanahan was displeased with the passing game, meaning Garoppolo. Shanahan was direct in his criticism. “We didn’t get enough production in that. I think you can see that on third down especially and the six sacks that we had. Obviously, we ran the ball very well, but in the pass game they played a lot of man coverage and I don’t think we did a good job beating it and attacking it and getting the results.”

The 49ers scored plenty of points and rushed for 190 yards. They did certain things well. But, they converted only three of 11 third downs and gave up those six sacks. The sacks bothered Shanahan the most.

“You go back and watch the tape, and every one of them was versus man-to-man coverage,” Shanahan said. “It’s not that (Garoppolo) is scared to let it rip into zones. He was just waiting on someone to beat a guy, and it wasn’t happening fast enough.

“Just get rid of it,” Shanahan said, explaining what Garoppolo should have done and should do in the future. “I thought there were a couple where he had a chance to get rid of it. When it’s man-to-man coverage, if you wait on a guy and he doesn’t win, sometimes you’ve got to get rid of it. You can’t just stay and look at him. Or, you’ve got to progress to No. 2. Once you stay there, you’ve got to let it go. You don’t take the sack.”

Call that direct and public criticism of his high-priced quarterback.

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This article has 359 Comments

    1. That who he wanted all along. But it wasn’t his call john lynch wanted Jimmy G and and pulled the trigger. I believe that first loss to the Vikings really messed Jimmy up.

  1. After reading Grant’s hot take that the “G” in “Jimmy G” should stand for the Gunslinger, I went back and re-watched Niners offense in the Minnesota game last Thursday. I actually thought that Jimmy looked a little tentative on some throws. In fact one one of those missed TD throws (I think it was the missed one to Pettis), he probably should have thrown it earlier more aggressively. My suspicions were confirmed by Oscar’s analysis in the Better Rival’s podcast
    https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/9/12/17853600/better-rivals-podacst-what-did-you-expect-vikings-lions-49ers-week-1

    Jimmy’s play in each of the games had everything to do with the defense and nothing to do with him being a Brett Favre in one game and Ben Rothlesberger in the second one. He was a little tentative in both games.

    I am inclined to believe in the hypothesis that the newly acquired knowledge of the playbook is weighing on Jimmy G, albeit temporarily. Last season, he played with minimal knowledge of the playbook and with nothing to loose, he made many successful “unscheduled plays”, some of which were spectacular. This season, with a mega contract he feels the responsibility of implementing Kyle’s scheme within schedule. It’s a passing phase. He’ll get comfortable by November.

    Having cooked up this gun-slinging myth, I’m afraid Grant is grasping at straws in his backtracking effort. Being used to his buddy Jimmy H’s secretive misdirections at pressers, Grant is also having problems dealing with Kyle’s honest forthrightness. So when Kyle is surprised that Garnett is not practicing at TC, it means just that — not that Kyle is suspecting Garnett of feigning injury… Kyle is no more upset with Jimmy’s taking a sack than he is with the inability of the receivers to get open.

        1. Wow, two games in the books and we see an astonishing 180 (certain it wasn’t a 120?). Tell us what you see for Garoppolo vs the Chiefs…back to his Viking self, or more like the 180 vs Detroit?

        2. Grant,
          I think you are basing your opinion about “decision making taking a 180 after Week 1” on just the increased number of sacks. Although I have no access to all-22 film, from what I hear, Patricia’s man-to-man cover coverage was far tighter on the receivers than Zimmer’s. Had Vike’s coverage been tighter, I think Jimmy G would have taken more sacks in that game.
          In fact, if the safety had not held Kittle, and Jimmy G’s intercept stood, and the Niners lost, the blame game would have been that Jimmy G is a gunslinger. Lost would be the fact that Pettis ran the wrong route (ran a vertical route instead of a rub route to take out the corner and free Brieda for the catch and run).

          1. Garoppolo threw blindly into tight coverage in the face of pressure against the Vikings. He did not do this against the Lions. Instead, he held the ball and took sacks.

            1. I agree. KS told JG to take a sack rather than risk throwing an incompletion, just to keep the clock rolling.

            2. Grant,

              Shanahan said that “thought there were a couple where he had a chance to get rid of it. ” That’s two out of six sacks, 33%. Even Jimmy G probably know that. That would mean that there would be four coverage sacks because none of the receivers good get open, and Jimmy G decided not to free lance and take unnecessary risk. Maybe he should take more chances, and become the “gunslinger” that you thought he was :)

              Jimmy G faced different coverages in the two games. Zimmer adopted his usual mix of zone on one side and man on the other. Jimmy G is good at threading the needle thru holes in the zone (which are often misunderstood by some folks as gunslinging). He’s less comfortable throwing into tight man coverages that Patricia correctly used. He will get better throwing to man coverages once he makes a rapport with Pettis and Garcon like he has with Goodwin.

              1. Right, Shanahan said Garoppolo should have thrown the ball away, but he didn’t. Garoppolo rarely throws the ball away.

        3. Never put too much stock into 1 game Grant. It’s very possible that Jimmy went into Sunday’s game with the mindset that the 49ers would likely beat the Lions if he (and the team) played conservatively while protecting the football and avoiding turnovers. Although the defense almost let them down, I think this was the correct assessment.

          Let’s revisit this conversation after next week’s game VS the Chiefs. While we should take Arrowhead Stadium’s hostile environment into account, Jimmy’s got to have the mindset that, to beat the Chiefs right now, he’s going to need to win a shootout. I expect he’ll play less conservatively and make the proper adjustments.

          *I did want to make a correction in regards to Sunday’s game VS the Lions: I was far to hard on Solly. After I reviewed the game I came to the conclusion that Solomon Thomas played much better than I originally thought. He was a factor on defense with at least 4 QB hurries, if my count is correct. Sorry Solomon!

          1. Wow, shocking, you mean to say you were indeed basing your opinion on the box score stats only? Who would have thought?

            And convenient that you now realise he had 4 pressures after rewatching the game… after PFF announce he had 4 pressures.

            SMH.

              1. Thanks for the link Lelow.

                Heartbreaking! I feel for the guy. I know it has to be a very hard thing to go through emotionally. All indications are that he was close to his sister.

                Solomon seems like a great guy, and I only wish the best for him and his family! I also continue to hold up hope that Solomon will develop into the player the 49ers were hoping they were getting when they drafted him. I assumed he’d find some kind of role on this defense, but my fear was, and continues to be, that his physical limitations could hold him back from becoming a standout defensive player, which is what this team desperately needed to find with the #3 overall pick.

                Now I am just hoping he finds a way to get on the field.

              2. Solomon Thomas: “People ask me what my life is like now that she’s gone. On the one hand, I’m thankful for each day 
I get to still be alive. I’m beyond blessed. I have two beautiful parents; I went to my dream college; and now I get to play football for a living. I know how lucky I am. But I’m also struggling every day. Sometimes life just sucks and I go to a dark place. She was my best friend and my only sister, and I won’t ever get to talk with her again. I just want her back, and there’s nothing I can do about it. The days are hard. The nights are harder.”

                I mean …. that’s really tough! It’s hard to imagine what Solly is going through. Perhaps, as he finds his way to deal with this tragic loss, and is able to heal emotionally, Solomon will find a spark, and reach his fullest potential on gameday! I may be a harsh critic, but I am rooting for the kid! My frustration is less with Solly personally, and more pointed at ShanaLynch, and the 49ers scouting department. The fact is, undersized NFL interior lineman, whether they are on the offensive line or defensive line, tend to get pushed around in the trenches! You can get away with being undersized in college, but the NFL is a whole different beast! strong>And if Salomon can’t find a way to overcome his physical limitations, he’s never going to live up to his draft status, which is a shame because, had Solomon been drafted even as high as round 2 (certainly 3rd round or lower), we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.

            1. Oh, come on guys.

              If you think Solomon has been anything other than a disappointment up until this point, you haven’t been paying attention to how Kyle and Salah are using him so far this season.

              I’m listening (on 49erswebzone No-Huddle Podcast) to Rob Guerrara of Pro Football Talk Live, who also happens to be a life-long Niners fan, , and he’s talking about Solomon’s with Zain Naqvi & Al Sacco. Zain & Rob are currently talking about Solomon’s reduced role (less than 50% of the defensive snaps last week) and how it’s impossible to argue that Solomon has been anything but a disappointment so far.

              Sure, upon further review, I agree that Solomon did make a minor mark on Sunday’s game but, if I have to go back a rewatch a game in order to notice a player with Solomon’s draft status, and he’s healthy, well, that’s not good. I’m sorry if it;s your opinion that I’m being too hard on Solly, but that comes with the territory guys. When you draft someone with a top 5 pick, it means 2 things:

              1) you aren’t a very good football team, which is why you’re drafting in the top 5, and

              2) You need that player to be a force, and have a major impact on your team.

              So far, Thomas has had a minor impact on this defense, at best, and because of that, his role has been reduced. That’s a fact, and that’s not good. Just curious, are you guys disputing this fact?

              1. Zain: “You draft Solomon Thomas with the #3 overall pick last year and he’s just a rotational defensive lineman right now (playing less than 50% of the snaps). It just seems like such a misfire to me, what do you think is going on there”

                Rob: “The coaching staff, you know, are trying to say all the right things but talk is cheap. I don’t want to hear what you say, I want to see what you do, and the snaps are telling. His snaps are decreasing and he’s a part time player right now, and …. when you look at some of the possible alternatives thye 49ers could have taken there, Jamal Adams for one, comes to mind, it was definitely a backfire. Now, getting Reuben Foster later in that round helps, but I don’t know how you look at Solomon Thomas right now as anything else other than a disappointment, at this point!

                Now, that very last piece of his statement is important … “at this point.” Solomon Thomas has been a disappointment early in his career. That is simply a fact. And I feel justified for being hard on the guy, especially because I argued against the pick way before the draft. But, I haven’t stuck a fork in him just yet. IMO it can sometimes take a full 2 or 3 seasons before you can fully grade any draft pick. But right now …. let’s just say that I’m not betting on Solomon Thomas to win DPOY anytime soon. In fact, I’ll be happy if he just earns a contract extension, which is certainly no sure thing for the 49ers 2017 1st round pick (#3 overall), and that just about says it all. Enough said!

              2. He is a bust. Only because now the coaching staff has given up on him. Look, he was the 3rd overall pick. No way should he come out on passing downs. Lets call it for what it is, an overdraft

              3. « if I have to go back a rewatch a game in order to notice a player with Solomon’s draft status, and he’s healthy, well, that’s not good. « 

                Or it just means you are only following the ball. It was easy to see while watching the game liven that he was having a good game.

              4. Yep, exactly Jack.

                49reasons, I am not and have not in my responses to your comments about his week 2 performance said his overall performance hasn’t been disappointing. I completely agree with what Zain said, which is why I said exactly the same thing after week 1. The fact he is a rotational player that can barely get any snaps at his preferred position in his 2nd season is a clear sign they got the pick wrong. Of course now that he is on the roster it really doesn’t matter where he was picked, just whether he contributes.

                You (and others) were wrong to criticize his week 2 performance. I pointed this out and instead of acknowledging you hadn’t really watched him you, with your usual extreme conviction, doubled down about how awful he was, citing box score stats.

                It wasn’t until after PFF outlined he had a good game you were willing to change your tune.

              5. As for Chris’ comment that he is a bust, man that term is way overused imo. He isn’t a bust. A bust is someone that is awful. A liability. Thomas isn’t a liability. He is a very good edge setting DE whi h is why he is a starter in base, and he is improving as a pass rusher. But because the expectation is the 3rd overall pick should be a dominant player he gets labelled a bust by many.

        4. Yah, so he was a bit overly conservative? It worked, right? Just don’t turn the ball over, which they didn’t. Jimmy overcompensated a bit, but they won! That’s a big fat W!

            1. Well, one thing I do know is that conservative quarterbacking won’t get it done against the Chiefs!

              Let’s take another look next week. Arrowhead, Yikes! Hopefully he’ll have his guy Goodwin back to stretch the field and Kittle will start securing the catch! Rotate Pettis in.

      1. Grant

        My salute goes out to Kyle for at least acknowledging his part in the ‘kerfuffle’ Can anyone on here even imagine Jim Harbaugh doing that.? Jimmy G will be fine…a few ‘bumps’ to flatten out;..a few potholes to fill in, and he’ll be on his way to the HOF. It might also do well for the “Sky is falling” contingent on here to load your guns before you shoot…all is well in ninerville….IT AIN”T BROKE…!

  2. After reading Grant’s hot take that the “G” in “Jimmy G” should stand for the Gunslinger, I went back and re-watched Niners offense in the Minnesota game last Thursday. I actually thought that Jimmy looked a little tentative on some throws. In fact one one of those missed TD throws (I think it was the missed one to Pettis), he probably should have thrown it earlier more aggressively. My suspicions were confirmed by Oscar’s analysis in the latest installment of the Better Rival’s podcast.

    Jimmy’s play in each of the games had everything to do with the defense and nothing to do with him being a Brett Favre in one game and Ben Rothlesberger in the second one. He was a little tentative in both games.

    I am inclined to believe in the hypothesis that the newly acquired knowledge of the playbook is weighing on Jimmy G, albeit temporarily. Last season, he played with minimal knowledge of the playbook and with nothing to loose, he made many successful “unscheduled plays”, some of which were spectacular. This season, with a mega contract he feels the responsibility of implementing Kyle’s scheme within schedule. It’s a passing phase. He’ll get comfortable by November.

    Having cooked up this gun-slinging myth, I’m afraid Grant is grasping at straws in his backtracking effort. Being used to his buddy Jimmy H’s secretive misdirections at pressers, Grant is also having problems dealing with Kyle’s honest forthrightness. So when Kyle is surprised that Garnett is not practicing at TC, it means just that — not that Kyle is suspecting Garnett of feigning injury… Kyle is no more upset with Jimmy’s taking a sack than he is with the inability of the receivers to get open.

    1. Garoppolo’s third pick against Minnesota was a careless throw into triple coverage and Shanahan said so.

      1. I apologize for the double post. The first post would not show up (although my second post was registered with the site right away) on any browser — even in incognito mode (so probably not a cache issue). So I thought it might be the link causing some problem, and I posted a version without the link.

    1. Interesting. First, KS rips JG for all those interceptions. Then JG goes conservative and waits for a player to get open, which allows the defense to collapse the pocket so JG is sacked 6 times.
      .
      Then, when JG takes a sack instead of passing in a risky manner, KS rips him for not throwing the ball away. Too bad JG was told to stay in the pocket, so if he threw the ball away, he could be charged with intentional grounding.
      .
      Maybe KS should have allowed JG to roll out, so he could have been outside the hash marks. Then, if he threw the ball away, it would not have been intentional grounding.
      .
      3 things I disagree with Ronnie Lott.
      First, JG is a gunslinger. He certainly is not a game manager like AS. Gunslingers are deadly accurate, with a quick draw. JG has a quick release, and can not only throw into small windows, he can thread the needle.
      Second, KS is young, learning and bright, but he is not above reproach.
      Third, KS is not a genius. A genius would not lose a 25 point lead in the second half of a SB. Also, a genius would not anoint Hoyer as the starting QB.

      1. Sebbie…. Correct me if i’m wrong. Was Shanahan the Defensive Coordinator for Atlanta? I’m pretty sure he wasn’t the Falcon’s Head Coach.

        1. Cassie, if you want to re-litigate the SB, go ahead. I just know that KS dialed up a 7 step drop that resulted in a strip sack. He refused to run the ball, which would have resulted in running out the clock. Then he dialed up 2 more pass plays that resulted in them moving back out of FG range.
          .
          The second half of the SB was not KS’s finest moment.

          1. Seb-

            No bait and switch. YOU are the one who keeps blaming Shanny for the SB loss, and not pointing to where the buck stops-THE HEAD COACH! His word is final……….why do you pretend otherwise???

            Here’s why–still beyond bitter at Shannalynch for not putting Kap in with a 15 yr Contract!

            You think people don’t see this………………?

            1. Catfish, KS was forthright and accepted responsibility for the loss, but said he would still coach the game the same way. He refused to second guess himself. He said he tried his best, but they had a different outcome from the one he envisioned. SBs are won and lost due to a few plays from a few players. Sometimes the HC has little input into determining the outcome of the game.
              .
              Sure, Quinn lost, too, but he put the whole offense in KS’s hands.
              .
              No, you are dead wrong. I am happy with JG, and think Kaep should play on some other team. I was not happy with KS’s decision to start Hoyer, and thought Kaep was superior, but once JL traded for JG, and I saw him in the Seahawk game, I have wanted JG to be the franchise QB for the San Francisco 49ers. My biggest question was- what if JG did not want to play here, and he had another team he preferred. Then I wanted 2 firsts and 2 seconds for JG, which would go a long way in helping to rebuild the roster. Luckily, he signed, so that option is moot.
              .
              I like Kaep, and wish him well, but things change. Hope he wins his lawsuit, but right now, he has a better QBR than half the starters in the league, so he deserves to play. Just elsewhere.

      2. You dont even know the rules of the game dude. You can throw the ball away from inside the pocket genius. It just has to appear as if a man downfield is targeted.

      3. “Also, a genius would not anoint Hoyer as the starting QB”

        Still bitter about that Kaepernick thing eh?

        1. Speaking of Kaep, he would be much better than many starting QBs in the league. The sub par play of QBs is making the game unwatchable. Sure wish some teams would want to win with Kaep, rather than being content to lose without him.
          .
          Looks like some HOFers are getting on the dump Goodell bandwagon. They are refusing to go to Canton without league sponsored health insurance. Considering their health problems are directly related to their playing days, they have a solid argument, and want to emulate MLB.
          .
          Kaep and his lawsuit may invalidate the CBA, so they are probably cheering for Kaep’s success.

          1. Speaking of dumb why don’t you post your real name and look like a complete moron?

            I’m not sure if you have smoked too much laughing lettuce in your lifetime or if you truly are the dumbest guy in the world. In any event, a storm is coming!

            1. Yup, now that Manafort has flipped, expect a deluge. Mueller knows everything.
              .
              Once Trumpty Dumpty has a great fall, Kaep will finally be allowed to play. The blackballing started at the top. Glad Nike is keeping Kaep relevant.
              .
              I am not hiding behind a blog name, like you. Cowards hide, then throw insults because they are not held accountable for their bullying ignorant hate.

              1. You are 60 plus years old and crying about bullying? Not only the dumbest guy on the blog but a baby as well!

              2. @ Paul suck it easy big guy! Perhaps Seb can let you do the halftime show with him. I am sure Seb could mentor you in ball washing before he pushes the show to Niner brass. Seb the ball washing sage of pigskin.

              3. Still with Trump, eh?

                Still SELFISHLY using this blog as a forum for your invective…….much bitterness…….which poisons the soul. And you, overflowing as it were with love and tolerance………go figure!

      4. I love how the narrative has become “he ripped him”. Listening to the interview he mentions multiple issues and it hardly sounds like he is singling out Jimmy. How soft have we become that stating the obvious is now ripping someone.

        JG was told to stay in the pocket? Sources please?

        As to throwing it away while inside the pocket that’s easy, sail it over a receivers head, out of bounds good qbs do this all the time.

          1. So there was no source and instead of stating something is what you speculate may have happened, you are just passing it off as something that happened.
            It’s no wonder people can just call, “fake news” and just believe what they want, when so many are passing off opinions as statements of fact.

            Come on man, throw in an “I think” an “ I believe” or an “imo” don’t just throw an opinion out like a statement of fact… you’re better than that. Or at least I want to believe you are.

            1. Shoup, I am just a fan watching the game. I do not have locker room access. It should be assumed that everything I say is my opinion. I am just going off the game film. Sure did not look like they rolled out JG a lot. It sure looked like they told him to stay in the pocket, because that is what he did.
              .
              Now they are saying that JG should have thrown it out of bounds in the general direction of an intended target, to avoid the sacks. I hope we can all agree on that fact.

              1. Shoup, I am just a fan watching the game. I do not have locker room access. It should be assumed that everything I say is my opinion.

                My problem is whenever someone else states “Kyle said’ or “Kylie told so and so” they are stating something based on an actual interview or statement he made. When you do it, it’s something you made up in your head, its based on speculation but you pass it off as if he said it in an interview. Knowing this, everything you state should be assumed to be made up and has no facts backing it up, even if you actually are stating a factual truth… see little boy who cried wolf.

              2. Shoup, I referred to KS because I watch the interviews after the game. He said those things, so maybe your beef is with him.
                .
                I also watch the game, so when JG stays in the pocket, I just assume that it was part of the game plan. I certainly did not see a bunch of controlled roll outs. Who designs the offensive game plan? KS.

              3. “He said those things”

                Obviously, that is your opinion. Below is a video of his post game q&a session. Please point out the time stamp where he said he told Jimmy to stay in the pocket. But since you’re just making up stuff up I’ll save you the trouble, it’s at the 11 minute mark of this 10 minute interview :)
                https://youtu.be/UwWpHTX81zY

  3. I’m not hearing anything about Robert Saleh in these criticisms. I’m only hearing about Jimmy. But Jimmy didn’t give up 17 points in the 2nd half. That defense needs to step up!!!!!

    1. 49niner… Good point! Grant rarely if ever looks at the full picture when offering his analysis and conclusions. He lasers in on the hot take. It’s been noted before, Grant would make a short-lived Air Traffic Controller.

        1. Would be a bit more impactful in my opinion if you would develop and share a wider view when settling on your hot take(s).

          In a sense, the pursuit of game time offensive football has many interrelationships (not unlike an ecosystem)–player abilities/skills/annoying injuries, play of the OL as a unit, quality of skill postion execution, in-game scheme and adjustments, down and distance, defensive alignments and strengths/weaknesses, and much more. Most of us get all that. Would be cool–for example–to weave some of these factors into explaining Garoppolo’s week one to week two 180.

          Kinda fun that Matt Breida leads the league in rushing–after two games. Any analysis on that? And Buckner is second in the league in sacks. Analysis?

          1. These are not hot takes. These are Shanahan’s, Sherman’s and the rest of the team’s takes. They said the win felt like a loss. I was much more positive about the win.

            The Lions are terrible at tackling, and Buckner dominated a beat-up interior Vikings O-line.

          2. “And Buckner is second in the league in sacks. Analysis?”

            https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article212101134.html

            “I think we have to build everything around Buck,” Kiffin said, “And that’s your starting point.”

            Looks like it’s working so far. I wouldn’t mind hearing more about Kiffen wisely making Buckner the focal point of the pass rush. And the D line rotations. Maybe our Grant should request an interview with Kiffen. Would be an interesting read.

  4. Grant-
    Fun fact: the plural of octopus is actually octopuses, not octopi. It’s derivative is Greek, not Latin. :)

  5. It’s a growing process for Jimmy G and Shanahan very similar to what Shanahan experienced with Matt Ryan. They’ve had 2 games with an expanded playbook that had to be significantly altered when Jerick McKinnon was injured right before the season. I suspect the 49ers will be 5 or 6 games in before we start seeing a consistent level of play on the offensive side of the ball. It takes time for the QB and the play caller to get in synch on a complex offense. We’re still at the beginning of that process so everyone should just relax.

    1. I’m not convinced Grant understands the dynamics of player and coach growth. Perhaps he does–intellectually–but he won’t let that cloud his spawning of a steaming hot take or two. If one fails to perform to Grant’s expectations, one is immediately keel-hauled. I’d say eviscerated, but we’ve had enough with gut spilling–at least for a while.

      Grant would make a great restaurant critic–seriously.

        1. From her postings, I’d say she has many many more decades of observation than you do, junior.

          F-ing millenials. Think they know the answer to everything.

          1. Plus, Cassie is an ancient T-Rex out of the Jurrasic. Couple of hundred million years and you pick up a thing or two……

      1. No. Garoppolo arrived after week 8 last year so I say Garoppolo has been in the offense 0.5 years. At the end of this year it will be 1.5 years. I think you’re underestimating how limited the offense was last year based on changes made to Shanny’s base offense due to personnel issues. I also think you’re underestimating the changes Shanahan has had to make as a result of losing a centerpiece to his offense just before the 1st game of the season. The 49ers are a long way off from where they will be by the middle of this year. You can see strides in this offense but a missed throw here, a wrong route there, or a drop is throwing off the flow of the offense. Once JG feels more comfortable and the offense settles in to execute better this is a top 10 offense this year. If Shanny is able to add a few more pieces at the skill position and a guard for next year, this is a top 3 offense.

  6. Time to take a step back kids, and reassess. Garopollo came in last year with nothing to lose on a 1-9 team. Nothing was expected. He could relax and play QB. Then came the success, the 137.5 million dollar contract, and the pressure of being the starting QB in SF. Jimmy G now has a total of 9 NFL starts in his career. It’s a balancing act of handling all the intricacies oc the position. HOF QB Steve Young went 5-5 in 1991, his first year as a starter in SF, and that was after two years starting in the USFL, two years starting in Tampa Bay, and four years backing up the GOAT Montana.

    1. Valid perspective. Would be fun to assemble a similar analysis for all ‘noteworthy’ QBs since 1980.

      However, Grant has documented Garoppolo’s 180 turn around from the Vikes game to last Sunday–and it isn’t pretty. Very alarming….

      1. We dont need some deep analytical evaluation, every elite QB the league has ever seen struggled at some point. Usually within thise first 16 games. Rarely has a QB come in and lit up the league right off the bat as a rookie, AND STAY elite, long term.
        Look at Peyton Mannings rookie outing. The Colts surely should have cut him after such a poor season. The dude threw TWENTY EIGHT PICKS. He was a pick machine. Look how that bust turned out.

        1. Yup, and John Elway. Look at Marino. He did set the league on fire from the get go. And has all those rings to show for it.

  7. I agree with you on this one Grant and I dont believe you are over reacting. But we are just getting settled into Year two of this deal. There are adjustments to be made EVERYWHERE. We sit here and talk about patience and how far we still have to go and how we are missing pieces still and blah blah blah rah rah rah. Then we start one and one and everyone is calling Jimmy a bust and calling for Cousins. Quit being so fickle guys, stick to your guy, Youre going sit there and berate Jimmy, then when he starts erupting for 400 yard 4 TD days, you’re all gonna say you knew it all along. SMH.
    Cmon man. Go root for the NY Giants you guys waffle more than IHOP.
    Jimmy has tools we havent seen from a Niners QB in a long time. He’s gonna succeed. I would bet my house on it.

    1. Electric— I don’t think evaluating Jimmy’s games is necessarily calling him a bust. Although some posters just seem to want the opportunity to do so. The last couple games Jimmy has had some issues. I wouldn’t even get down on Shanahan for pointing out what everyone who used their two eyes objectively had to see for themselves. Jimmy held the ball to long and didn’t throw it away when he did have the opportunity to avoid a sack.

      I am not calling Jimmy a bust or even that he will not turn out to be what we all hoped he would be. Every QB has subpar games and it might be that he is overwhelmed by the playbook. Or he might actually need to work on knowing when to give up on a play and just throw the ball away. His quick release might have put him into a mind set that he can always make a play so he waits too long.

      1. You’re right. No one said bust. Theres just a bit of over reaction though. And I get it, people want everything right now. That’s just the state of society. I just have faith that everyone from the GM to the coach, to the QB to the 53rd man, are going to learn and get better and are hungry enough to get this thing off the ground. I have faith in the Niners that frankly I havent had since the mooch days. And I think we should all feel pretty fortunate, coming from the mess our franchise was in.

      1. JG should do controlled roll outs. The DBs will have their back to the ball, focusing on their man they are covering. This should give JG the chance to make first downs with his legs. Receivers could streak downfield, leaving a big hole in the middle of the defense.

        1. Yeah just like a video game where everything just falls according to plan right? This is where not playing the game makes you look ignorant.

          1. Chris, maybe you should stop just criticizing, and present ideas that you can think up.
            .
            Or maybe you cannot think of anything worth mentioning, so you just attack willy nilly.
            .
            I am not saying that the Niners should only do controlled rollouts, but that it may be one strategy to counter the man on man defense.
            .
            Please try to say something smart. I could use a laugh.

            1. Grant has been around the game and when he talks, you can tell he knows what he is talking about. Your ideas are ones that a child would think of or someone who has never even touched a football. The pig skin one, not the one with dots on it, LOL

              1. Let’s not get started on soccer again. I’m sure Paul scored a lot of touchdowns in soccer. And they kept telling him not to pick up the ball. And he kept doing it. And everyone kept telling him he’s wrong. And he would come up with lengthy reasons why he should pick up the ball with his hands. And everyone said “you dont know the rules man” and he KEPT doing it. Hmmm. That sounds familiar.

              2. I have been around the game. I started attending games in 1979, when the Stick was almost empty, and watched all through the Glory Years. I know what putrid play is, and also know what championship football looks like.
                .
                Still have not seen anything you wrote that has a scintilla of cogent thought. Glad you know what a football looks like, but am not impressed.

              3. “I have been around the game. I started attending games in 1979, when the Stick was almost empty, and watched all through the Glory Years. I know what putrid play is, and also know what championship football looks like”

                Yeah probably baked out of your tree!

              4. Eel, instead of saying -throwing the ball away, you must mean- missing an intended target.
                .
                Sure, that could include throwing it high and out of bounds, but throwing it away to avoid a sack is one definition of intentional grounding.
                .
                Instead of throwing it away, the better phrase should have been- Throwing it in the general direction of an intended receiver, to avoid a sack.

              5. That is throwing it away Seb. Throwing it away is ALWAYS to avoid a sack. Dunce.
                Sorry if double post. Post not showing up

              6. No, if a QB throws the ball away, and there is no receiver in the general vicinity, and the QB is in the pocket, he can be called for intentional grounding, especially if he is trying to avoid a sack.
                .
                That is my understanding of the rules. One cannot throw the ball away with no intended target.
                .
                Maybe KS implied that JG should overthrow his receiver out of bounds to avoid the sack, but that is just one way of throwing the ball away. The other way will draw a flag.

              7. THE ONLY TIME YOU DO THAT IS TO AVOID A LOSS OF YARDAGE THATS THE WHOLE POINT OF INTENTIONAL GROUNDING/THROWING IT AWAY. Do NOT pretend you are going to teach me a single thing with your very limited understanding of sports and meager grasp of social skills
                #&$&×_’ xj*$&÷&!!!!!
                You are SOo f$*×*×&’ DuMB!

              8. Hmmm, you are getting upset. Maybe you should take a cue from the other posters, and stop trying to engage me.
                .
                Social skills? Do you have any? Guess you think cussing and ranting makes you look smart.
                .
                Some day, you will learn your lesson.

        2. mr. McSeb…………….

          Where is the outside LB and DE? Where is the safety going? Everything has to line up just so in your little caper.

      2. I’ll post again what Biderman wrote about tight man coverage. Had Jimmy made more throws into the coverage, Grant would be complaining about that. Bottom line is that the offense did enough to win. Defense is another story.

        September 17, 2018 at 7:20 pm
        “Coach Matt Patricia, formerly the New England Patriots defensive coordinator under coach Bill Belichick, implored his defenders to play tight man-to-man coverage, which was effective for most of the game. Garoppolo was sacked six times, largely because he was waiting on his receivers to break free from defenders while the defensive line collapsed the pocket.

        But Garoppolo’s receivers weren’t breaking free — and it provided a lesson for 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and his quarterback going forward: Other teams are going to look at what Patricia orchestrated and try to replicate it, rather than allow Garoppolo to throw to open windows in zone coverages, which he’s proven to be good at.”

        https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article218575890.html

        1. I was at the press conference. Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo should have thrown the ball away instead of holding it and taking sacks.

          1. I have to agree with Scooter that JG needed to move from spot then get rid of the ball. I saw on the second sack that JG was not his usual resilient self. He looked like a statue just waiting to go down. It was weird.

          2. Not saying he didn’t. Sure there are things to improve and as others have mentioned KS is a forthright person. I’ve found that I would much rather deal with someone who is giving me the straight scoop than people who sugarcoat everything. If Jimmy can’t handle constructive criticism, then he shouldn’t be in the NFL; but I guarantee you he can handle criticism.

            KS also said:

            “Jimmy might have had an opportunity on a couple of those, but definitely not on all six. They did a good job covering and a good job getting to us when he did hold onto it because of that.”

            KS said in the after-game presser that he could have called a better game as well.

            Grant, you said so yourself that 30 points was plenty. Why are we not talking about the defense? Do you see the current state of the defense as the best they can be this year?

              1. Why do you say KS is focused on the pass game? As the head coach isn’t he responsible for all phases? Also, he is answering questions put to him by the press. There were several questions about the CBs. Here’s a response about a five-yarder slant TD given up by the 49ers:

                “Oh, yeah. We’ve got a three-man rush on that, so there’s a number of people you can double on the play. It has to do with how they come out, whether they’re in three by one or two by two. There’s a lot of options on there. They were playing man coverage and he’s expecting some help. Didn’t get the help. There was some confusion from the guys.”

                That response isn’t enough to elicit some comments from you or others about the quality of the secondary play?

            1. « Do you see the current state of the defense as the best they can be this year? »

              No. On Sunday they were playing a 3rd string ILB. They get Foster back this week. He’s a huge upgrade.

          3. Meh, I think Jimmy went into the Lions’ game feeling like the 49ers would win the game if he (they) avoided turnovers. Smart. A good QB does what he needs to do to win the game and sometimes, against inferior opponents, that means playing conservative football.

            I’d be concerned if Jimmy held the ball and refused to throw into the tight windows if that’s what he needed to do to win the game. Next week should be a good test because I get the feeling Jimmy’s going to have to win a shootout against the Chiefs.

            Never read too much into 1 game fellas!

            However, Arrowhead Stadium is about as hostile as they get, so we’ve got to factor in potential communication issues. That said, let’s have this conversation again next week. Something tells me we will have a different interpretation.

            *I did want to make a correction on last Sunday’s game: After review, I feel like I was a little too hard on Solomon. While he wasn’t dominant, he did play better than I first thought, and while he didn’t light up the stat sheet, he did have a number of QB pressures, and that’s significant.

          4. Grant’s selective use of quotes is very questionable. Kyle clearly asserted that Jimmy could have thrown away on a couple of the six sacks.

        2. « Bottom line is that the offense did enough to win. Defense is another story. »

          Yeah right. The defense also played a role in giving the offense the ball on the Lions 16 yard line and they went backwards.

          The defense played a big role in the team being up 30-13, not to mention special teams as well.

          Garoppolo gets so many excuses from fans. It’s hilarious.

            1. Defense and special teams set them up for 10 points, giving the offense the ball on the Det 16 and 26.

              1. Don’t forget that turnover that should have been 7 points but only ended in 3. Thanks ROBBIE GOULD!

                I remember stating that was a wasted opportunity at the bar with the other 49er fans. Good teams take advantage of these opportunities.

        3. There were definitely instances where he should have and could have thrown the ball away to avoid taking a sack. That is basic expectation for a starting QB which is why Shanny made a point of mentioning it I would guess.

    1. Bah, stats after 2 games are not worth much… its way to small of a sample size.
      If this stays the same after week 5, my concern level will raise dramaticly.
      Case in point.
      The top 5 rushers in the NFL feature Breida, Mixon and Lindsey
      The top 5 quarterbacks in QBR feature Fitzpatrick, Mahomes and Bortles

      I do not expect any of the players to remain in the top 5 by seasons end.

    2. The book is not on Jimmy G – it’s on his receivers who are just learning what NFL man coverage is. When they learn how to get open against man coverage things will change….including the book.

    3. The first 7 qb on that list have a very talented WR corps. We do not. It helps when you WRs run good routes , get seperation and can out muscle a CB for a contested catch.

    4. This is what happens when good defensive minds have a chance to study a QB for an extended period of time. Playing man coverage works best on QB’s that like to stay in the pocket on obvious passing downs. Now it’s up to Shanny and Garoppolo to force defenses to adjust differently by taking advantage of the coverages. This is where McKinnon would have been a force in the passing game imo. Hopefully Brieda can beat the LB’s and can force DC’s to put a S on him in coverage to free up one of the intermediate areas for the WR’s.

  8. How about some concern towards Robert Saleh who played a soft zone at the end and went with a tiny Jimmie Ward in the red zone. How many times does he need to get roasted by a bigger body for someone to determine he cant cover large WR’S?
    The blown lead is on the defense for not executing their coverages as is the offense not capitalizing in the red zone.

    I’m scared to death to see what Mahomes dos to our defense this week. Its a 40 burger for sure!

    1. All the talk is about Witherspoon and Ward, when it was a blown assignment by Williams that helped give the Lions life on Sunday.

      1. It does seem that Williams has had his share of those the last couple of games. Many of the DB’s problems stem from blown assignments and not technique deficiencies.

      2. You are right, Williams did miss the assignment but both Ward and Witherspoon got manhandled on numerous occasions, especially in the 4th quarter.

            1. I think it is more being afraid of being called for game-changing holding/PI penalties.

              Sherman is a master of jamming and generally being very handsy…I hope his talk with the DBs after the game included tips on that. I also think Spoon will bounce back. That will settle it once-for-all if he is Rashard Robinson 2.0 or not.

          1. @Jack, you seem to be playing the role of a-hole antagonist for no apparent reason. Obviously Witherspoon and Ward did not play well. Witherspoon blew his assignment on the Galladay TD pass. Witherspoon was repeatedly targeted in the game and had to be benched. Ward then became the target and he did not play well. People should be talking about their performances because they were bad. Williams also blew an assignment so he should be criticized as well. All of this is not mutually exclusive. The secondary play must improve. Plenty of criticism to go around even if you don’t care for where it’s placed.

            1. Houston,

              I never said that Witherspoon or Ward did play well. I made an observation that while they are getting a lot of blame for the 4th quarter, it was actually a blown coverage by Williams that let the Lions out of a 3rd & 17 hole which got them rolling.

      3. Yep. Letting an offense convert a 3rd and 17 can’t happen and that was entirely on Williams for letting his man get behind him. That seems to be a common problem early in the season. The Niner DB’s are looking into the backfield too long and losing track of their responsibility in coverage. The fact multiple players are doing it leads me to believe that is what they are being coached to do and it’s having a profoundly negative effect right now because they are struggling with the concept.

        1. “The Niner DB’s are looking into the backfield too long and losing track of their responsibility in coverage.”

          Saw that and was quite apparent with Williams.

          1. It’s only a solution if they can do it. There were mistakes made when they played man and the fact there has been so much zone may mean they aren’t overly confident in matching up in man consistently other than Sherman.

  9. I don’t think Shanahan made public anything that was not already known to anyone who watched the game. His get rid of the ball was not about throwing into coverage rather just throwing the ball away, Granted sometimes you can not do that safely, but Shanahan saw exactly what I saw, In some of the sacks he had every opportunity to do so.

    It appeared to me that he often waited to long to make a decision about whether the players were going to get separation before throwing the ball away. In some he still had the time but rather than throw the ball away he braced himself for the sack. With his quick release that should not have been necessary. Last week I remarked that the Vike defender was wrong when he said that Jimmy played scared. Well this week sort of validates what he said. As some have stated he never even tried to mitigate the yardage loss from those sacks, rather he just went straight down or sometimes even backwards. It appeared he was trying to protect his body. Which might be why he didn’t throw the ball away because that would set him up for an unprotected hit. Maybe he needs to work some throw away drills.

    Now I don’t want anyone to take this post as a critic of Jimmy’s ultimate value as a QB , rather only his last few games. I think Jimmy will get it together, but something is definitely in his head. It might be as many have speculated the complete playbook, or maybe not.

  10. This article that should have been written is ” Niners lack of WR talent cost them a win at Vikings and nearly resulted in a loss at home versus Lions. ”

    Our leading receiver in both receptions and yards is Kittle. Second is Garcon. Third is a virtual tie between Pettis and Juszczyk .

    We need an Antonio, AJ, Odell , DeAndre …

      1. Patriots , who have been the dominant team in recent memory , have Gronk and Edelman . Recipe to get to NFC or AFC championship game – QB performing at high level, dominant defense, top flight receivers and tier 1 RB. Every team who has been to the final 4 in the last decade has had at least 2 of the 4. We , Niners , have none but Jimmy G is a close. Let’s give him some tools.

  11. This is what happens when fans start seeing the games in isolation rather than the big picture; I just don’t want to see that type of analysis from the sportswriters.

    This was one game and it was a chance to see how a defensive coach who knows him very well would game-plan for JG. And to see how JG would react. Looking at it in a narrow view, it was disconcerting that he didn’t succeed when the defense went man and the receivers weren’t open immediately in a zone (we know he succeeds in a zone). . But in the big picture Shanahan and JG got a good feel for what works and what doesn’t, and what to expect from other defensive coordinators the rest of the season. How they adjust to what Patricia showed everyone else is what’s important.

    1. Lets give Patricia a little credit here for changing it up on his coverages. Jimmy G is gonna see a lot more complex coverages along the way. But the fact Patricia was able to take advantage of the 49ers WR not showing the capability to get separation and the fact Jimmy G played with hesitation, they made a game of it.

    2. Sorry, but this is exactly why I like this site so much. Grant is focusing on the salient points. He is identifying matchups and strategies that may determine the outcome of the game. Perusing the other writers, they are just cheerleading, and stating the obvious. Grant gets down to the nitty gritty.
      .
      I agree with you about one thing. Patricia made adjustments. Luckily, KS made an adjustment, too, by benching Witherspoon. Patricia may have given the league a blueprint on how to defend against JG. KS’s job will be to counter those strategies. Fortunately, if they man up on Goodwin, he may run right by the defender.

      One way to defeat the chuck at the line of scrimmage, is to put a man in motion.
      .
      One way to counter the blatant holding is to clasp the defender’s hand that is holding, then falling down so it looks like the defender pulled him down, thus drawing a penalty.

    1. MWD, the thing with Thomas is he gives 110 % on every snap and so you gotta monitor his motor or he’ll start to overheat. I agree with Coach Shanny and fully expect to see his stock steadily rise.

      Shh, don’t let 49ereasons see this or he might increase our carbon footprint with another diatribe of nonsense….

    2. Yep, this was a pretty good game by Thomas. Not great, but pretty good. He has a lot of detractors, but that is mainly because people can’t let go of the fact he was drafted 3rd overall. Its done now. All that matters now is whether he can help the team, and on Sunday’s performance the answer is yes.

      1. Scooter: Any thoughts on why the defense is playing so wide between the tackles. While it might help to contain the QB on the sides/edges of the pocket, it seems to me like this is opening up the middle of the pocket for the QB to step up and run when needed (especially when the LBs have to cover). What do you think?

        1. From memory they have used that kind of alignment mostly on 3rd and long situations. I assume it is designed to create more 1-on-1 matchups by not giving the centre an easy combo block. But yeah, they have let the QB escape pressure just by stepping up into the gap left a couple of times now. I assume a LB is meant to be staying in coverage in a short zone in the middle to prevent the QB getting too far. In 3rd and long, forcing the QB to run isn’t a bad thing if they have someone to stop a big run. The problem I have seen is the QB has still been able to pass a couple of times after just stepping up to avoid the rush. That’s a bad thing.

          All in all, can’t say I am a huge fan of the idea.

          1. I wonder if they think they can stunt through that huge gap. On paper it could potentially work if and after the center commits to blocking one side or the other. I don’t know. I know I’ve seen aerial shots of other teams doing the same thing, but I didn’t write any notes so I no longer remember which teams.

            1. That would make sense, but haven’t really seen the 49ers DL doing that (or just haven’t executed it well). Really need at least one side of the DL to run a stunt to not leave a huge gap in the middle for the QB to step up into.

          2. “I assume it is designed to create more 1-on-1 matchups by not giving the centre an easy combo block.”

            Kiffin wants Buckner to be the main guy. It makes sense to keep our opponents from doubling him.

            “The problem I have seen is the QB has still been able to pass a couple of times after just stepping up to avoid the rush. That’s a bad thing.”

            Yep.

  12. Steering off topic here, but did anyone catch the personal foul call on Clay Matthews on Sunday?

    The official call was that CM lifted the QB when making a tackle. I watched the play a few times and there was no attempt at lifting the QB or any intent to hurt him.
    The league can’t change their mistake but should at the very least issue an apology to Matthews and the team.

    1. They are taking the opposite slant, saying Mathews picked him and drove him not the ground, and will send this to all referees as a teaching video, what a joke I thought cousins jumped up and Mathews cleanly tackle him, any sack can now be called a roughing penalty! I am getting fed up!

    2. What makes it worse is that the league is planning to use it as a teaching method on how to not hit a QB.

      https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/09/17/nfl-distribute-clay-matthews-hit-kirk-cousins-what-not-do/1341870002/

      The problem is that the claim by the refs and the NFL of what Matthews does not even match the visual evidence. If I am Matthew’s, the Green Bay Packers, and even a player on defense in the NFL, I am demanding to know what constitutes a legal hit on a QB, because apparently a defender is not supposed to issue a hit that falls within the parameters set by the league now.

  13. Taking his observations public, does that mean Shanny is not a QB whisperer? JG will be fine, I just wish we had an edge rush whisperer

      1. I proposed that the TE, once he got past the first down marker, be content with securing the ball, even if it meant falling down. I targeted Vance MacDonald with that strategy, because he would try to run before catching the ball, thus dropping it. Twice, he batted the ball in the air so a DB intercepted it.
        .
        Considering all the recent drops, maybe they should employ that strategy, because all the drops may have cost them the Vikings game.

          1. Some day, you will learn your lesson.
            .
            My proposal will aid in making completions. You, obviously, do not think it is important. Guess you are happy with all the drops.
            .
            Interesting, you edited your post.Guess you realized you were leading with your chin.

            1. I edited because I typed “people” but I wanted to be specific to you, child
              You are the absolute most broken person I’ve ever encountered. Dont even address me any more. I sure won’t be reading your dumb ass posts.

              1. Eel, I have never addressed you. I have responded to you. You are the one engaging me, usually with snark and screeds.
                .
                Also, you edited more than that, but go ahead, deny all you want.

            2. Haha!!!

              Gotta love the Sebs!!

              Always……ALWAYS has to get in the last word, the last little dig.

              VERY entertaining!!!!!!!!!

      2. Asking a football player to fall down and play passive is like asking a mechanic to not use a wrench. Most asinine thing I’ve ever heard

        1. Not quite. It’s like asking a mechanic not to tighten too much lest the wrench slip and harm said mechanic (which is why he advocated this idiotic policy).

          One can only imagine how many cars would fall apart if they took Seb’s advice to heart!

          His Quixotic quest to slay windmills continues…

  14. Garoppolo’s struggles are to be expected. Just like Watson’s. Teams have had a year to adjust. Now, they have to adjust. I laugh, when pundits say Mahomes is the next X. Let the tape catch up with the talent and we’ll see who he really is. Kaepernick was all-world…for about a year. Once teams figure out tendencies, pretenders go from god to average quickly.

  15. Grant, Matt barrows was on knbr praising rt mcglinchey and if Browne was the rt Breda would not have scored on the long to run. Also mcglinchey is a big part of the run game and is improving on pass protection, I know you felt he would be a liability. I think he is a rookie but will improve and is a young talent. Building year more expectations next year,

  16. A lot of folks up in arms about the defense. Fact is the defense has played better so far this season than they did during the 5 game win streak at the end of last season.

    During those 5 games they played 2 decent QB’s, Mariota and Bortles. In those 2 games they gave up 56 points.

    Cousins and Stafford are arguably better, and in the first 2 games they’ve allowed 44 points. Heck, they gave up 26 points last year against Cousins when he had less talent around him than the 17 they gave up to him this season.

    Is this a dominating D? Shoot no, but it’s improved.

    1. I’m with you Jack. Just an eyeball test could tell you the same thing. Defense is starting to shape up. They are good against the run and will only get better with Foster’s return. And they are a lot better against the pass than i thought they would be. Yes Witherspoon has been a disappointment so far, but Sherman has held up his end of the bargain. I wonder how much of Sherman’s success is based on reputation along with the poor secondary play around him, rather than him actually being really good?

      If we can sure up the tackling (Foster will help) and start finishing sacks, this defense will keep us in some games like it did against the Vikes. Looking forward to the long term, they are just a few key players away from being a force.

      All that being said these first 4 weeks are just brutal on our secondary (Cousins, Stafford, Mahomes, Rivers), not to mention Rogers in week 6…man!

  17. 49ers D is better than last year.

    56 points during 5 game win streak against Mariota and Bortles.

    44 points this year against Cousins and Stafford.

    Relax.

    1. I agree about not overreacting and the fact they’ve given up less points to the two QB’s you mentioned, but looking at the play of the defense there are a lot of problems even if they haven’t resulted in more points as of yet. I saw a lot of problem areas in the Lions game that would have been a bigger issue this week if the Niners had gone on to lose. They didn’t and thus we move on and don’t sweat it, but unless the play improves greatly this defense is going to give up a lot as time goes on.

      1. Precisely, this also applies to the offense! There are many areas that appear to be troubling. End of the world, no, but shouldn’t be ignored either.

        I think the Lions are thinking they beat themselves and were very close to winning. Kind of like this team last year at this time.

    2. The defense fell apart in the 4th Q and Detroit pretty much moved the ball at will and put up 14 points (extrapolated to an entire game that is 56 points). That’s why there is concern.

      And as far as “relax”. Right back at you with regards to the offense.

      Why are the 49ers playing so wide between the tackles on the defensive line? While it might help contain a QB from moving outside the pocket, it makes it pretty easy for him to move up the pocket and even run up the middle especially if the play call means the LBs have to cover.

      1. The 14 points given up in the 4th quarter matches what they gave up in the 4th against Jacksonville, and on both occasions it happened after being up by 17 points, essentially garbage time.

        I’d like to know where I’ve said anything overly negative this week about the offense.

        I’ve said they improved in the redzone and turnovers, the two areas that I was criticizing a week ago.

        Last week this team lost and people acted like they won. This week they won and people are acting like the lost. So goes it with the lunatic fringe I guess.

        1. Pretty much sums up how I feel. After reading the comments on the game (before I had a chance to watch the game) I honestly thought the team must have played poorly and not deserved the win. But watching the game, watching them get out to a 30-13 lead through good play, I was really left wondering what game everyone else had watched.

          Yes, giving up 14 points at the end there was bad. Yes, the pass coverage had some big whiffs. Those things need correcting. But overall the team played well and deserved the win.

        2. “(extrapolated to an entire game that is 56 points)”

          Come on Cube you’re starting to sound like Grant “If you take out the 5 long runs” Cohn.

          You see the same thing every week. You hardly see teams just getting blown. Yeah they go down by 10, 17, 21 but all of a sudden they start passing and going no huddle and all of a sudden they’ve cut right into the lead. Seattle scored 14 in the 4th, you wanna extrapolate that also?? The Bears D is the real deal.

          1. Hey Leo:

            I’m just trying to keep it balanced. Sure the 56 points “point” that I made is extreme, but Jack’s posts have been as well.

            I have criticized the offense for its play, but Jack seems hell bent on blaming most of the woes on Jimmy and I just don’t think that is true. There’s plenty of blame to pass around including KS. Still I think if you put up 30 points on a team and have a 30-13 lead going into the 4th Q, you should win. They did, but the defense faded in the 4th quarter.

            The offense had its issues this past game, but I think a lot of the credit goes to Patricia for putting together a great game plan and to the Lions secondary for executing it. Jimmy does need to get rid of the ball quicker, but I’m not concerned, because we know he can do it. Also, I think I was one of the first to note that Jimmy stayed “on schedule” and didn’t really go off schedule. I think going off schedule is one of his strengths, and if memory serves me correctly, KS said that was one of the big things that surprised him last year and by inference was one of the main reasons he wanted to keep Jimmy.

            Overall, I think it’s good that KS and JG were stymied somewhat by Patricia because it should help to continue both of their development as HC and QB respectively.

            1. « Jack seems hell bent on blaming most of the woes on Jimmy »

              By pointing out that he completed below 50% of his passes with 2 bad picks against Minnesota, and being accurate that there was only 1 drop?

              Get real.

              And I haven’t been hard on Garoppolo at all this week.

              1. Alright, Jack. Any response to my question on why the 49ers are playing so wide between the tackles on the defensive line.

              2. I think I’ve noticed that they’ve been lining up wide on one side or both at times…sometimes with a big gaping hole in the middle of the line. I think it’s during passing situations so I think they’re trying to manufacture pass rush by either flooding outside of the tackle with rushers…making the tackle and the guard adjust post snap to stretch out and pass block on the outside. Or to set up a T/E stunt from an “exotic” defensive formation to further confuse the offensive linemen trying to defend the stunt.

  18. I just hope that KS makes the proper adjustments. Maybe he should take a page out of the Bill Walsh playbook and start some rookies in the secondary. Both Witherspoon and Ward have regressed. When Witherspoon was beaten for a TD, he started looking around as if to blame others.

      1. I’m hoping KS makes sure his offensive players line up facing their goal, and his defensive players line up with the goal they’re defending to their backs. Sebbie is very clear that victory comes from mastery of sound football fundamentals such as the aforementioned. Falling down helps too.

    1. Maybe he should take a page out of the Bill Walsh playbook and start some rookies in the secondary.

      Dude, maybe he’s already ahead of you, starting rookies Colbert and Witherspoon last season. How about this, take a page out of the Bill Walsh playbook and start the most talented players, regardless of experience.

        1. That was done last season due to injuries.

          So?

          I am talking about this season.

          You don’t think that if Moore or Reed had shown better in their reps than the current starters, they wouldn’t already be starting? Get real.

  19. Chris Spielman during the TV broadcast was brutally honest and refreshing in his analysis of the 49ers secondary, their struggles, and responsibilities. Most of the mistakes by Witherspoon and Ward were mental and are correctable. I expect them to learn from this (as Sherman pointed out on KNBR yesterday) and play better going forward.

    Here’s a prediction for next week. The 49ers will beat the Chiefs. They may be looking past the 49ers (KC plays Denver the following week, a big divisional rival). Mahomes is due for a regression and their defense is not very strong (last in passing yards allowed, 29th in points allowed).

    1. I’m thinking along the same lines, with the 9ers getting a key special teams or defensive TD–key in the sense of being the win/loss difference maker. Arrowhead is a tough place to play.

    2. Hope you’re right. A victory against the acclaimed Chiefs, in their teepee would send a smoke signal that the 49ers have arrived!

    3. When’s the last time we’ve won at arrowhead?

      I think it’ll be close, maybe 37-28 close. We will lose but i think Jimmy will start to hit his stride finally, I’m expecting his best game yet.

      1. What a weird series, home team has won every time since the ’82 game that hammer referenced. The good news is only 4 games played in Arrowhead since, or about one game every 6 seasons (and with some pretty gawdawful Niner teams), so there isn’t a ton of precedent.

  20. “Shanahan has a lot to learn”. So says famed quarterback guru and all around football legend Grant Cohn of the Yesterday’s News Today. LOL! Give me a break!

  21. The reality is the Niner’s are a middle of the pack NFL team. They have improved from last year, but they are not going to the Super Bowl.
    I think Jimmy G is trying to do too much at times. Some times you just have to throw the ball away.
    The receivers have problems beating man to man coverage. Getting Goodwin back will help. Putting men in motion and flooding one side of the field will help. I also think running a screen play a couple of times a game would help . If they can get their receivers healthy it would be a good thing to settle on who are your primary WR’s and let them work on and set up CBs instead of just coming in for a play or two a quarter.
    A few more passes to the fullback could help open up things too.
    The Offensive line looks much improved.
    Kittle is a beast.
    Breida is a beast and Morris a nice change up back.

    The defensive line is better. I am concerned about the pass rush as they appear to get close, but can’t get to the QB in time. I don’t know if this is correctable or if blitzing will be the only way to get pressure.
    LB’s look pretty good for being young and mostly back ups.
    The DB’s look like they are still trying to figure out what to do in zone coverage and they lose focus and technique on man coverage. Some of this is probably correctable but some is probably talent.

    Special teams looks real good. Gould could win a couple of games in the 4th quarter, unlike some other NFL teams. I could also see 2-3 returns for TDs this season.

    The other reality is the Niners face very good teams in the first six weeks and will be lucky to win 2-3 games. They are also in a division with the Rams who look awesome (that even sounds horrible to write). The odds of the Niners winning the division are very low. The odds of them winning more than 9 games is very low.
    The good news is they should be able to beat the Seahawks and they look much better than the N.Y. Giants.

  22. Does anyone have access to David Lombardi’s article on Garoppolo and the sacks?

    It was mentioned on KNBR, and the time to sack numbers they were quoting from the article seem really high. Something like an average of 6 seconds.

    1. Nevermind. Found a tweet with a screenshot of the info. If those numbers are accurate that’s crazy.

    2. Garoppolo had an average of 6.5 seconds on the 6 sacks he took according to Lombardi. On two of the sacks he had over 7 seconds. Coverage sacks but also an indication Garoppolo might have been a little trigger shy as has been pointed out.

      1. Coverage sacks but also an indication Garoppolo might have been a little trigger shy as has been pointed out.

        You mean to say he’s no longer trigger happy. No hair trigger or itchy trigger finger?

        ;>)

        Rocket, that new Udo album, Steelfactory is a masterpiece.

        1. So far he’s been all over the place…much like 49reasons rants.

          Haven’t heard it. I’ll have to check it out. Still able to blast your face off is he?

            1. I am going down to LA next weekend to see Accept! – Saw them n SF their last go round and it was a great show……. and plan to go to Rustic Canyon golf course…….. and to the 49ers vs Chargers (gotta wonder where the NFL’s pain threshold is per their lack of fans, and if the owners try and impose on Spanos to sell the team if LA attendance doesn’t improve next season at the new stadium).

      2. Let’s also include this WR unit is not the fleetest of foot. We definitely need a game changer in the form of a back to take the pressure off-insert Leveon Bell, or we need a WR who can break it open. Maybe that will be Pettis or Goodwin when he is healthy.

      3. Yep, he was clearly being more careful with his throws this past week. The main issue with the sacks is he barely moved off his spot. Something he has been very good with in his other games has been knowing when to bail from the pocket to extend a play. Didn’t do that against the Lions. Part of that was good discipline from the edge rushers to not give him an easy escape route either side. I expect teams will be drilling their edge rushers to maintain similar discipline moving forward.

  23. I don’t think it was an over correction. I think the problems are weaknesses in Garappolo’s game. Here’s a comment I made about the sack Garappolo makes.

    The other significant area of fault for the 6 sacks IMO is Garappolo. He just does’t seem to be seeing and processing fast enough. Even if his receivers are covered he should know what to do with the ball as soon as his back foot hits it’s last step (or the same amount of time goes by while in the shotgun). Maybe a slight hitch step if his primary read is covered….but not much more than that. I think Jimmy’s problems were compounded which resulted in his holding on to the ball too long.

    1. Man Coverage. I think Jimmy sees zone coverage better. With zone coverage you can see the wholes in the coverage better and can better anticipate when and where to throw the ball (in the voided zone area where you expect a receiver to get to).

    2. Trust. Other than maybe Kittle to a minor degree, I’m not sure there’s a receiver that Jimmy trusts to throw to in tight coverage who he knows/anticipates to get open. I think he trusted Goodwin because he trusted Goodwin’s speed could get him an open window.

    3. Bunch Formations. Shanahan said that they used a fair number of bunch formations to help the receivers break free of grabby defenders. Bunch formations can also confuse defenders on who and how they should cover. The problem is that young/inexperienced QBs have a hard time seeing the play/passing concepts develop in front of them. It’s easier to see the field and imagine the routes developing when the receivers are already spread out in the formation. With bunch formations the QB needs to be able visualize the play as it will develop….trust his eyes less and his knowledge of the play and his read of the defense/coverage more. Because Garappolo relies more on his eyes it takes more time for him to decide to throw the ball which can lead to more sacks.

    4. Late reads and reactions: Not just the sacks….I think because of Garappolo’s hesitations because he’s relying on his eyes are causing more of his balls to be contested. Again, I think he can get away with this against zone coverage because he sees it better and can better anticipate and throw receivers open. There were plays where I saw the backside flat come immediately open. But Garappolo took too long to read it (or never saw it) so that by the time he was looking around defender had already come crashing down into the flat so that a throw there would have been an immediate tackle for no gain or an interception.

    1. Agree with your points. Patricia took advantage of Jimmy’s inexperience with tight man coverage on receivers with whom he doesn’t yet have a strong rapport…

      1. I also think that Garappolo needs to better learn when to turn on the gunslinger (force throws…which is sometimes necessary) and when to turn on the game manager (take what the defense gives him) depending on game situation and match up and scheme opportunity.

      1. He had Carson on special teams last night and the fan base went after him pretty good after saying he, “got gassed and wanted to see what Penny could do”. Sad, considering probably not the time to make such drastic changes when on the road and in the midst of a tight game.

      2. I can’t stand cheat’n Pete but I don’t think he’s the problem in Seattle. Instead look to the GM that has been botching picks and trades pretty much from day 1.

    1. Wilson had no choice like JG did.
      He was swarmed from the start to the end of that game. His o-line is garbage and he will probably not make it through the year.

  24. Did everyone think the offseason wouldn’t make it more difficult this season for JG?
    There is film on him and adjustments are starting. The lions may have found a way to slow him down. It’s up to him and the coach to learn from it. It’s year 2. This is going to be a growing year.
    I’ll bet my bottom dollar that by game 6 he will be firing on all cylinders.
    I came into the season with an open and patient mindset.
    Remember it took Matty Ice 3 full seasons to get it. Personally I think Jimmy G grasps it a little quicker.
    Let’s simmer down a bit, grow some patience on this tree. And watch him light up LC’s defense Sunday.

    1. Patricia saw Jimmy in practice for 4 years. If any HC/DC would have a good idea of Jimmy’s weaknesses it seems to me it would be Patricia.

    2. The offense put up 30 points. So despite the six sacks and criticism of Jimmy G, the offense wasn’t the problem. It was the defense.

      1. Yeah, I’m not unhappy about the guys the got instead. Landry is just a player I really liked in the lead up to the draft so he is a guy who I will follow pretty closely. Much like Carl Lawson.

      2. Agreed. But just imagine if we had traded up for Landry instead of Pettis. We might actually be playoff contenders this year.

  25. Well I watched the KC-Pitt game and all I can say is holy sh*t this offense is explosive. Mahomes is getting all the pub for the most part and he’s deserving, but he’s getting a lot of help. The Oline is protecting him well overall, but it’s the speed they have on the outside that is making life miserable for defenses. If you sit back in zone and rush 4, the Oline gives Mahomes enough time to find Kelsey running a seam or Hill on a crosser. If you rush 4 and play man, their speed beats you for a big play. If you blitz and play press behind it you’d better get there in 2 seconds or less because that’s all it takes for Hill and Watkins to get past your Corners and off to the races. The only way I can see the Niners having any success Is by blitzing a lot and playing combination coverage behind it to try and buy an extra second of indecision so they can get home. The only defenses that will have sustained success against this offense are ones who can get good pressure with 4 and have Safeties who can cover. Even then, it’s pick your poison because they also have a strong running game. The Niners will have to put up at least 35 to have a shot in this game imo.

    The other thing that really stands out is Reid’s confidence in this kid. He let him take a 5 step drop from his own 1 yard line and throw it down the field. This offense is going to be an all timer with what they have put together.

      1. Overall they were average, which is ok when you have that offense. The Niners should be able to run the ball which in turn will create some good looks for play action. The KC pass rush doesn’t seem to be as good as in past years so we should be able to do some damage. Definitely will have to win a high scoring game.

    1. Ball control, time of possession, field position and run the ball. That’s how you beat the Chiefs.

      1. Yep the offense is going to have to put together some time consuming drives to keep them on the sideline.

        Coverage teams will have to have a good day as well because Hill and Thomas can both break one if anyone cheats and breaks lane responsibility.

  26. According to PFF via Maiocco: ” Sherman saw one pass thrown his way. It was incomplete. He has allowed only one reception in 99 downs in pass coverage through two games, being targeted once every 24.75 coverage snaps leads all qualifying NFL cornerbacks, according to PFF. His 0.18 yards allowed per coverage snaps ranks second behind Arizona’s Patrick Peterson.”

  27. All the Mahomes buzz…. Check this from the run-up to the 2017 draft by some folks on this blog (names not shared to protect identities)…

    “QB Patrick Mahomes. He’s my vote for most overrated prospect in this draft class. His strong a and sneaky athleticism aren’t nearly enough to overcome pathetic mechanics, poor judgement, and one of the least consistent throwing motions in the nation. Add exclusively experienced in an Air-Raid offense to the list of deficiencies and you have a major “rebuild from the ground up” reclamation project!”

    “Mahomes will be a bust in the NFL. Most of his passing yards came in way of YAC or broken plays. Let’s hope the 49ers don’t waste a draft pick on him.”

    “I’m absolutely gobsmacked by the hype this kid is generating. I’ve studied a lot of QB’s in my day and I would prate Mahomes value no higher than round 5 in this QB draft class, which is below average compared to recent draft classes.”

    “Agree with your take on Mahomes Xxxxxx. He’s Kap v2.0 in my mind. (Cosell says most of his plays are “out of structure” which is jargon for playground ball). Obviously Webb raises a lot of questions because Mahomes beat him out. My bet is that wherever Webb goes he will end up more productive than Mahomes.”

    “Mahomes and Webb are Air Raid messes. They’re multi-year projects just to see if they can do some of the fundamentals. Considering that not one Air Raid QB has ever developed into an NFL QB… I’ll pass.”

    1. Good post Cassie,

      I was and still am one of the doubters. The jury is still out on Mahomes. The sample size is too small. Let’s see if he can sustain this level of performance.

  28. Ritchie James will be activated for the KC Game…
    I’m excited and am itching to see more of him
    From watching his limited appearances .. in the preseason..
    I think I saw something special there .. and wanna see if I’m right
    in his NFL debut …. but .. hey … no pressure ..right ? …..
    ( but then in retrospect …
    I felt the same thing for Vernon Davis .. too ! )

    Heres a List of 1st and 2nd stringers for the KC Game … -=>

    https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/9/18/17876124/49ers-depth-chart-lions-week-3-reuben-foster-george-kittle-matt-breida

      1. Thanx for the correction … Mood..

        Yeah.. I guess I missed his debut … but still..
        even though … I still think I saw something intriguing
        with him during the preseason …
        ( can’t put my finger on it though ) … but if I’m correct..
        it’ll be a bold move to active him for this game .. right …?
        and that’s what I’m looking for ….

        (Hope he spends half of the practices (left)
        in front of the Juggs machine.. and the other half..
        learning a couple of route trees

        And imo … we’ll find out what he can do with the skills
        he’ll ..( presumably ) .. gain in the process …given a
        few timely targets …

        but surely they should give him a target or two
        starting in the 1st qtr … just to test the waters

        If it works out … he ..could… be the monkey wench
        that helps Mr. Mahomes … with a bad day ..

        Hey … it ..could .. happen !

  29. To be fair Shanahan was also pretty direct in his criticism of his receivers not being able to separate and beat man coverage outside of Garcon which obviously contributed to Jimmy holding the ball. While it was frustrating watching those coverage sacks and yes he needs to take off an run at times or get rid of the ball, I put a majority of it on the D. 30-13 in the 4th quarter and they just about choked it away… If the Niners can put up 30 points a game they should end up winning a majority of them if the D does their job. They only have what, 5 first round picks on that side of the ball. But sure, lets put it all on Jimmy and his ‘overcorrection’.

  30. How can the Niners defeat KC?
    .
    On offense, JG must become the field general. He must negate the crowd noise by going up tempo, no huddle with quick snaps. He needs to stay balanced, so the defense must defend against both the pass and run. KS needs to dial up more controlled rollouts. The Niners must sustain drives that march down the field, and culminate with a TD, instead of settling for a FG. Sustaining drives will keep the Chief offense off the field. Hope JG can get the ball into the hands of his playmakers, and exploits the weaknesses the defense gives him.
    .
    On defense, they have to wrap up when tackling. If they want to win, they need to bench Witherspoon. Maybe start DJ Reed or Tarvarius Moore. Pass rush needs to do more stunts. They should do more delayed blitzes up the middle. Maybe Foster can get to the QB. They need to shut down Watkins and contain Hill. The defense must make the KC offense fight for every yard, and aid the Niner offense by getting turnovers.
    .
    The coaching needs to be sharp. They need to fire up the players in a hostile environment. KS needs to be innovative, and make timely adjustments. Hopefully, they will have prepared the players so they have crisp efficient execution, with few unforced errors. They need to consider time outs to be precious, to be saved for legitimate challenges and the last 2 minutes of each half.
    .
    The Niners can defeat the Chiefs, but it will be a daunting challenge.

    1. Sebbie… Your comments feel like the movie Groundhog Day. Do you wake up every morning to Sonny and Cher’s ‘I Got You Babe’? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBSrBqogPY

      Your approach to defeating an opponent (posted several times a week) is nearly identical from game to game–just changing names of teams and players to fit each particular week. Oh, and just love your use of the conditional phrase “If they want to win.” Sooooo Sebbie.

      I imagine we’ll see many, very similar recipes for success from you before Sunday’s kick-off. I Got You Babe……

      1. Yup. It is just a game, and there is a basic game plan that most teams needs to follow 16 times.
        .
        However, I always throw in a few twists like starting a rookie instead of Witherspoon, and Foster with a delayed blitz up the middle.
        .
        One thing I will keep repeating is that they need to consider time outs to be precious, and saved for legitimate challenges and the last 2 minutes of each half. Last game, they burned their time outs due to miscommunication and defensive problems, and if Detroit had scored at the end, the Niners would have been in a world of hurt. I hope this game, they use their time outs wisely, and have coached up the players so they do not need to burn time outs. Another time, they stopped the clock on third down, allowing the other team to formulate a play, instead of just saving the time out, and forcing the other team to wing it. The other team converted that third down, so that strategy backfired, because it seemed as though it aided the other team. I will keep repeating that strategy, because I am sick of them wasting time outs, and the lack of time outs at the end of the game had doomed the Niners in some games over the last several years. Glad to see KS actually being wise about using his time outs, but last game showed that he needs to be better prepared, so he does not have to burn any.
        .
        Since you seem to like to haunt my posts, it will give me another chance to mention how the stench of Baalke is dissipating. Sure am glad he got fired, and he never should have been hired in the first place. Baalke destroyed a SB talented team, and his drafts were unmitigated disasters. If some one other than Baalke had drafted Alshon Jeffrey instead of AJ Jenkins, the Niners might have won a couple more rings. Baalke had no empathy towards the players, and treated them like pieces of meat. No wonder decent FAs avoided Baalke like the plague, and players he obtained like Devey, Pears and Beadles were turnstiles.
        .
        The stench of Baalke is leaving the team, but lingers on this site.

      2. Heeyyyy Cassie……………..just for old times sake, how about another picture of Sebs old haunt, “Reds Recovery Room”? One of your all-time greats………………

          1. Thanks much, Cassie! Great stuff………when u first posted that way back when, i nearly fell off my chair………..to think that our Seb-skov used to frequent this place………..to drown his sorrows??……..who knows………..Some of your best work in a portfolio of really funny stuff!

    1. They tell me the Chiefs defense is lousy, so maybe Jimmy can deliver the goods from the pocket in a timely fashion.

      1. He should be given that opportunity this week. Regardless, that passer rating is mostly due to having 2 TD’s to 3 int’s from the pocket. If it’s still in that range after week 4 there’ll be more cause for concern.

    1. God bless Solomon Thomas. I hope he finds peace in his life and healing in his heart.
      .
      That was a very courageous thing he did, and I hope his story will help prevent another suicide.
      .
      It must be very hard to play a game while in such pain. I wish him Godspeed.

  31. Niners need to protect JG better. That first game, he was hit 9 times and sacked 3 times. 300 lb McGlinchey fell on JG ‘s head once while he was face down.
    .
    I was baffled when Benton moved McGlinchey over to RG, a position he had never played before, and Zimmer took advantage of that by overloading that side which resulted in a pick six. Maybe he should have shored up that side by moving Tomlinson to RG, a position he played in college, so there would have been a veteran on both sides of the line. Instead, the right side consisted of a raw rooking out of position,and an untested backup at RT.
    .
    KS was being deceptive, declaring Toran at RG, but thankfully, Person could play through his injury, so the right would not have been staffed with 2 rookies. Still, the Niners gave up 6 sacks,which does not bode well for JG’s health. Niners need to devise more controlled rollouts, because JG can throw well on the run.
    .
    Yes, other teams have a good QBR for their QBs while delivering from the pocket, but those teams also have stout O lines. The Niner O line was in flux their first game, and gave up 6 sacks last game, although not totally their fault.
    .
    No matter what, allowing JG to be sacked 9 times and hit numerous times is a recipe for disaster. Allowing JG to roll out may be one strategy to prevent more hits on him. Forcing him to deliver only from the pocket does not seem to be working. The one time he did scramble left, he connected with Pettis for a TD.

      1. I did say- although not totally their fault. However, they did happen, and JG was sacked 6 times, which is not good for his health.

        1. look about a third of the way up in the comments for a post of mine with bold headings to answer your question about how the sacks happened.

    1. I think Mahomes is the next Kaepernick.

      Both succeeded Alex Smith
      Both took the league by storm
      How will it end for Mahomes?
      Want to bet it doesn’t end well?

      1. Good Lord! Have you even watched Mahomes throw a pass? There is zero comparison between him and Slaperdick.

  32. If Garoppolo had offensive weapons WR T yreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, TE Kelce and RB Hunt , I dare say he would be putting up MVP level numbers.

    1. Watkins, former 4 th overall, is the 3rd receiving option on the Chiefs. He would be a #1 receiver on a dozen teams including ours. Hey Jed, Paraag and Lynch time to wake up and get a clue.

      1. There is a reason why Buffalo traded him and the Rams let him walk. Don’t be fooled by the early numbers

  33. Looking forward to seeing Fred Warner or Foster cover Kelce. Blanket Hill with Sherm and take our chances with KC’s other weapons and hopefully bang Mahomes around which no one has done to date.
    Before all that, stop the run and be physical with these guys.

        1. I’m confident Grant remains skeptical… Grant may (may….) write a nice human interest piece on McGlinchey when #69 is in his early 70s.

        2. I told you guys McGlinchey would handle his business.

          Didn’t those Catholic school nuns teach him that’s a sin? ;) I don’t care what he does in private as long as he blocks like that on game day.

        3. McGlinchey does a good job with the power stuff. His struggles are when he needs to move laterally and reach.

  34. Yup, McGlinchey is a cinch for all-rookie honors and possibly some pro-bowl votes if he continues to improve with each game.

    Speaking of rookies, Landry looked very good on Sunday.
    I’m keeping an eye on him, Davenport, Edmunds, Ro Smith, Derwin and Fitzpatrick who were bandied around on this blog leading up to the draft.
    After two games in the books McG seems to have made more strides.

    1. Derwin James has looked like an All-Pro already, and at this point, more advanced than McGlinchey; understandable given RT is harder to adapt to in the NFL than Safety. We will see if that changes in the coming games.

    1. You have to remember those theee overthrown passes by Cousins. I think on only one of those he was hurried.

  35. When asked about the comparison between himself
    and Tyreek Hill … Marquise Goodwin ....responded thusly

    Love his attitude .. but can anyone tell me if ‘Quise
    will play Sunday … or not ….?

    tia

    1. Who cares how fast he is if he can’t play. The best ability is availability and this guy has a penchant for being injured.

      To answer your question if he will play this week, he better over a thigh bruise! If Persons can play on one leg, Quise should play!

      1. Prime …

        I can understand your concerns over an ‘oft injured player ..but
        You gotta admit … when he’s NOT getting injured …
        his performance with Jimmy .. is very ‘oft… amazing to watch..
        (well .. it is for me, anyhoo) … can you imagine ..
        that his rapport with Jimmy … is only going to get better from
        here on …
        I can

        But I thank you for the update on him …

        Besides … didja see the hit that caused the thigh bruise ?

        1. Yeah I did and I really like Goodwin. Took him in my fantasy draft.
          I’d really like to see him play and I agree, him and Jimmy G have a good connection.

          I should back off the oft injured part, these guys play a dangerous game and that collision was bad.

          In saying that we need him this weekend to have a chance at winning.

          1. Pime ..
            Agreed …and I’ll go ya one better…
            ‘Quise plays at least at 85-90% … we win the shoot-out

  36. Jimmy Garoppolo it seems that the NFL teams have his numbers. With all the sacks and interceptions that he thrown, Jimmy needs to sit back and think that he’s not a backup QB anymore.

  37. You can’t make this stuff up. Here is Gruden responding to a question about pass rushers:

    “It’s hard to find a great one. It’s hard to find a good one. It’s hard to find one,” Gruden said.

    Got to say I don’t mind at all that Gruden is pretty much throwing away the Raiders window at a SuperBowl run. It’s just been one bad choice after another since he’s joined. Which really shouldn’t be a big surprise seeing as he’s one of the most overrated coaches in NFL history.

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