Mailbag: Which big name will the 49ers miss this season?

This article has 42 Comments

1. Jack,
   Jackson put on 13 lbs but from what I have heard what he lifts is not that impressive. Is it unusual to not lift that much yet still put on that much weight? Is it possible to add muscle yet not add that much strength?

   1. High repetition for endurance and high impact weight training for explosiveness. Yes, traditionally to add bulk you lift heavy weights. But to some that kind of bulk; even if it’s muscle can be sort of non-functional and limiting…..that it can make you stiff and unbalanced. These are just general theories.

      I guess the best way I can explain it is that if were to guess, Drake Jackson’s training goal isn’t to be able to out wrestle a 320 lb Right Tackle. It’s to be able to explode into him with a sudden powerful punch to make him off balance and the be quick enough to bend around that blocker.

      *note: I haven’ t seriously weight trained in over 20 years.

      1. I avoided weight training like the plague. When I coached I always had an Asst. who ran our conditioning program and basketball and baseball train differently than football. TY for the clarity

   2. OC,

      It’s not unusual. Muscle weighs more than fat, so the added weight makes sense.

2. Disagree. McGlinchey was a human turnstyle.

   They’ll miss Jimmie Ward’s leadership and solid play much more than the constant underachiever that was ‘Mike McGarbage,’ as Grant so eloquently put it.

   1. “Mike McGarbage?” Ms. Guth, making it personal like that serves no one…

3. Thanks for answering fans’ questions Jack. We appreciate your hard work, and attention to detail during open media sessions.

4. I’d say the WR corp is even weaker than Jack says. Deebo is a YAC specialist. But I don’t see him running the full route tree anymore. Sure he can take the ball off a short route and run away. He get the ball in space and make pursuit and tacklers look ridiculous. But when was the last time Deebo was down the field and straight up beat his coverage (not a blown coverage or play action or route concept that got him open)…his route running beat his man? Aiyuk tends to be the guy down field that’s trying to either shake his defender or slip in between zones (route site adjustments). And yes, there seems to be lots of drops.

   1. I respectfully disagree. I think this WR squad is strong. They may have the best blocking WR group in the league, Deebo is a potent weapon. He could score every time he touches the ball. Ray-Ray has STs skills. Jauan Jennings has been a third down specialist, and his blocking skills have sprung the RBs for long gains. I hope Danny Gray shines, and stretches the defense. Bell may make Conley expendable.
      .
      Then we have Kittle as a passing weapon, and CMC will stress the defense if he moves to the slot, creating a mismatch. Their versatility make this offense and passing game to be a daunting challenge for any defense. CMC swinging out wide, will not only provide a quick safety valve, getting the ball to CMC in space will allow CMC to gain 100 total yards per game.
      .
      The only question may be if McKivitz can adequately replace McGlinchey. If he can do his job against the edge, either Lance or Purdy should have time to throw.

      1. They may have the best blocking WR group in the league,

         I love the run game more than most other fans. But touting blocking as an attribute for a WR corp is like talking about the leather interior as a primary reason you bought a Ferrari.

         Deebo is a potent weapon. He could score every time he touches the ball.

         Sure but you have to get the ball into Deebo’s hands first. He can get the ball as a receiver from a slant route or stick route or short dig/dagger (shallow drag route) route or get him open through play action….but you never see Deebo playing as a receiver down field beating his coverage straight up. He would not be the one to run a Mills play….the play near the end of the Super Bowl where Jimmy over threw Emmanuel Sanders. Deebo is a dominant runner with the ball but he’s not a dominant receiver.

         Jauan Jennings has been a third down specialist, and his blocking skills have sprung the RBs for long gains.

         Jennings has been a decent third down specialist. But he’s hardly a dominant slot receiver like Julian Edelman orWes Welker were.

         Ray-Ray has STs skills.

         Special teams are important but we’re talking WR corp so special teams contributions by receivers is like talking about the paint job of the new Ferrari you got in terms of important traits.

         Then we have Kittle as a passing weapon, and CMC

         Kittle is a Tight End and not part of the Wide Receiving Corp.
         McCaffery is a Running Back and not part of the Wide Receiving Corp.

         . I hope Danny Gray shines, and stretches the defense.

         Sure, I do too but that doesn’t mean Gray currently adds much to the WR Corp.

         The only question may be if McKivitz can adequately replace McGlinchey.

         McKivitz is an offensive tackle and not part of the receiving corp.
         Remember the point of the post was judgement of the WIDE RECEIVING CORP not the entire passing offense.

         1. If you gauge the strength of the WR squad by only pass catching, you may be right. I look at how the WRs are utilized in many ways, and the present players work well within the KS system. Blocking is an important part of the game, and many teams have WRs who never block. Those teams also have not been to 3 NFCCC Games and a SB in the last 4 years.
            .
            Both Kittle and CMC are part of the passing game. Kittle caught 60 passes for 765 yards and 11 TDs. When CMC moves to the slot, he becomes a de facto WR.
            .
            I included McKivitz in the discussion because no QB will do well trying to throw, while flat on his back. He needs time to throw, so McKivitz should expect the defense will attack him more than Trent Williams.
            .
            Sure, some teams like the Bengals and Dolphins have good receivers, but overall, I like the WRs that the 49ers have. I think they are a strength of the team due to their versatility. The weakest position are the TEs. Thankfully, they got rid of Kroft, but Woerner and Dwelley both have flaws.

            1. Seb,
               Another thing those who are criticizing the WRs aren’t taking into consideration is that because the 9ers run a fullback heavy O there is not that many chances to use a 3rd WR. Jennings stats may not be that impressive but for the amount of plays he is in for he has done very well. He is a stud on 3rd downs especially in the 4th quarter. Still I would like to see improvement in the WR #3 and #4 in case of injury. If I had to pick a position group that is weakest, i’m still not sold on our O line McKivitz is a huge question mark. Burford is also a question mark and Brendel is Avg at best.

               1. I think the WRs are a strength of the team, not a weakness. Jennings does well on third downs because he is usually single covered, and his blocking helps with the YAC. Ray Ray could be able to run those Fly sweeps and his Returner contributions on STs make him a keeper. He is fearless.
                  .
                  I totally agree. McKivitz is a huge question mark.

5. Two hopefuls come to mind, for me.
   Kinlaw and Mitchell.
   If the 49ers can get 80% playing time from them, they could be a big help to the team. Having said that, they will need to prove themselves in training camp, because I don’t see the team waiting another year for them to get healthy. Hopefully, these two show up and show out.

   1. After reading Kinlaw’s life history, I hope he gets 8 sacks this season.,
      .
      All Mitchell has to do is stay healthy, and I think he will have a productive season. He and CMC will provide a good one-two punch.

6. AES,
   Kinlaw’s weight loss concerns me. It may take stress off of the knee but I think he might now be to light to be the run stopper they need him to be.

7. If it wasn’t for the dropped passes, the wr group would be one of strongest positions. They need to focus better. I hope Jordan Mason earns the backup role to take pressure off of CMC to keep him from getting hurt. That’s why Niners rb’s keep getting hurt so much. They overuse them. They need to pass more to keep them healthy. Except, of course, when they’re running out the clock with a lead. I can’t wait until we meet Philly. Now let’s see how they will do against us with healthy QB’s.

   1. K,
      Let me get this straight. The 49ers need to pass more to keep their RB’s healthy because their QBs were so healthy last year. How bout just spreading the carrys out more between the RBs. Like CMC 15 touches, Mason 10 touches and Mitchell 5-7 touches.

8. Which player will they miss the most? Azeez Al-Shaiir.
   Which Draft pick will make the biggest leap? Hopefully, Brock Purdy.
   What about Kalia Davis? He should be happy rotating in for Hargrave and Armstead. Nason may impress, but I also hope Danny Gray can stretch the field.
   Which position group is strongest? DL. Bosa and Hargrave are elite. LBs lost Al-Shaiir.
   Which position group is the weakest? Tight End. That is why they drafted 2 TEs.
   Pearson? Aiyuk, Deebo, McCloud, Jennings, Gray. That leaves one spot for Conley, Bell and Martin. They also have Snead, Winstead and Newsome. Pearson has a better chance with another team.
   KS will have learned from his mistakes, and will strategize to keep players healthy all season.
   Waege should be content being on the PS. I hope Kinlaw gets 8 sacks.

9. 8 sacks would be a huge accomplishment for Kinlaw. He only had 10.5 sacks during his 3 year college career. But the most impressive number JK had in college was him staying on the field (with the exception of about 4 games).

   I’d love to see Kinlaw available to contribute this year, but he has to prove himself in TC, imho.

   1. AES, 8 sacks is a sack every other game. I would also be happy with 5 sacks. I am hoping that he has regained his quickness and his knee if fully rehabbed.
      .
      I also think that he will be getting single blocking, with Bosa and Hargrave garnering the double teams.
      .
      Kinlaw should be part of the rotation, with Hargrave, Armstead and Givens.

      1. Seb,
         I think you are selling K. Davis short. He could be the surprise of the 23 season. If he regains his explosion and speed he could be the second coming of Buckner.

         1. I hope you are right, but he may be another Kentavius Street. He also had a knee injury, and was never as good as when he was before his injury.

            1. Thats true but I think one difference is that Davis was a far better athlete to begin with.

               1. Would they want to put Kinlaw on the 4 week IR in order to give Kalia Davis a spot on the 53?
                  .
                  Kinlaw did miss a practice.

10. I wouldn’t bet on Kinlaw. I think the best we can hope for is he is able to fill the role of run stopper in a D line rotation.

    1. I agree coach. But the question may come down to whether he even survives TC. If he still shows lingering issues with his knee in TC, will the 49ers continue to have patience in giving him more time to heal?
       If Kalia Davis outplays Kinlaw in TC what should the 49ers do?

11. AES,
    I think cutting him costs more than keeping him. If his knee is a problem I can see them putting him on the IR.

    1. If the 49ers put some feelers out for a trade of Kinlaw do you think that there could be some interest? If not for another player perhaps a draft pick?

       1. I think 3 years of knee problems make him untradeable. Maybe a voidable trade.

          1. Fortunately, the 49ers are in position to win without his services. This is different, yet has some similarities to the Lance situation. The 49ers have continued to win without him playing.

             This opens up another topic which is, the 49ers have done a very good job in drafting and FA signings to keep the team viable SB hunters.

             1. Rounds 1-3 not so much but they are unbelievable rounds 4-7, UDFAs and FA signings.

                1. Correct Coach re Rds 1-3. But in any case, the 49ers still remain a SB worthy team.
                   And that’s my point regarding not having top picks like Lance and Kinlaw available.
                   The defense against the run was good last year without the full service of Kinlaw in the lineup. And the same can be said about the QB position from last year without Trey. This is where the 49ers draft and FA signings shine.

12. Interesting tidbit. Sam Darnold is scheduled to be one of the QBs at the TEU meetings.
    This is a smart move by SD because it allows him to remain on the heels of Lance and shows his motivation to take an opportunity to work and improve.

    There will likely be limited passing in the meetings, because much of the focus is on foot-work, blocking and position leverage, but at some point there will be some passing .

    1. CJB and Nick Mullens will help, too. Guess they need arms to help with the catching aspects of playing TE.

       1. As backup QBs it’s important for these guys to receive as much work as possible, even if it’s limited. In doing so, they also show their respective teams their ambition and desire to improve.

       2. I was wondering if the 49ers rookie TEs might attend. On the surface it would be a good opportunity for them, but on the other hand the 49ers FO might have rules not allowing rookies to participate.

          1. I think Latu participated last year, and I would be surprised if both Latu and Willis are not attending.

             1. Seb,
                It’s good to have college TEs attend this event. I wasn’t aware that Latu participated last year.

                1. Kittle seems very high on Latu. I wonder if he had anything to do with them drafting him.

                   1. I was thinking the same thing, Coach.
                      Having Kittle basically scout his own predecessor is a real plus, if this is what actually occurred.

13. Meant “successor” not predecessor.

Comments are closed.