Originally posted by ezekiel40:
Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Originally posted by 49ersRednGold:
Originally posted by Ninefan56:
Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Originally posted by RollinWith21n52:
Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Originally posted by genz22:
How about Golden Tate in the 2nd....
Love the 1st round picks....
In the above draft scenario, the Niners still need help at the PR position. However, I'm not sure they will pick up a WR to fill that role. I'd expect a 4th rounder at CB/PR to fill that role.
I think the team need to look at safety and guard in the second and third rounds. Of course, what happens in free agency, and the decisions they have to make on Clements, Baas, Franklin, will be huge. Finally, I'm not sure what will happen with M. Lewis this offseason. He may call it quits, or give it a go one more year.
In other words, this team may have to replace five or even six starters in 2010, and the draft may be largely needs-based if players walk away, or are released.
Should be a highly interesting offseason with the uncapped year approaching.
MD, I know you've stayed away from the QB position for a while, but I just can't imagine that we completely pretend that this is not an issue anymore. Smith has not had a great game in his career. He's had a few good games, some more decent games, many bad games, and a ton of horrific games. He's thrown INTs in the last drive of the game when we've needed a TD, several times, and the one game we needed to win to stay alive in the hunt he comes out and has a terrible terrible game. THIS IS A QB LEAGUE!!! Manning, Rivers, Rodgers, Warner, McNaab, etc...these are the guys taking their teams to the playoffs! Not Smith, Campbell, Edwards etc.
You are right that this is a QB league. At the same time, Smith was splittling reps in training camp, was under a new OC (again) and was not the starter going into the season. The team is still trying to figure out an identity on offense, and I believe he will get every opportunity to be the man in 2010.
In addition, although Davis is not close to being ready, I think the Niners liked what they saw in preseason, and want to keep a close eye on his development. Davis could be the guy to step in midway through 2010 if Smith still struggles.
Smith simply has too much upside to abandon at this point, and none of the incoming QB's are going to be ready to play at a high level in 2010. In other words, I'd grade Smith well above the incoming class of QB's in 2010, so it wouldn't make sense to have that player sit. The team is close to making a serious run at the playoffs and beyond in 2010. They are just a few key players away.
Final note: Although Smith has been up and down this season, it is pretty obvious to see the progress, confidence. If the team can settle into a system this offseason, Smith presents the necessary tools (accuracy, arm strength, intelligence, etc.) to give the team the best chance to win. This team just needs to settle in.
I like your assessment of Smith. With an improved oline, the first time to have an offensive system already in place, and time to develop some continuity with his receivers will be a big big plus for A. Smith. Then we will be able to see what we actually have in Smith. At the same time Davis is getting a chance to settle into an offensive system and will be able to process how it works and get some more time to settle the plays. He has the physical skills and we will see if he can improve on his awareness. Looks good to me.
It will definitely be to the 49ers benefit to name Smith the QB in 2010. For Smith and possibly for Nate Davis. People are too impatient and want Davis out there now. I think there is more to gain by letting Davis sit and learn.
People have to realize that Davis would only be a senior this season, is coming from primarily a shotgun, spread offense, has a learning disability, and is on a team still in a state of transition. He'd be slaughtered out there.
Let the pup sit and learn, see if he picks up a feel for the pro game, and progresses. If so, we may have somebody to play or trade down the road. There is no rush. 2009 is now a time to discover who we are, what we want to do, and then use the offseason to cement our offensive philosophy.
MadDog, if we are going to cement our offensive philosophy in the offseason (prob geared to the spread), what would you think of taking Spiller in the 1st with Williams and getting a corner in the second or 3rd round. If we do decide to keep Clements at corner with Spencer, can't we afford to draft Spiller and a guy like TJ Ward or Nate Allen in the second and a CB in the 3rd to upgrade the secondary?
Do you believe Haden will be BPA over Spiller and as you said, "too good to pass up?" Do you think that Spiller is at all too good to pass up as well? My reasoning is that Spiller solves KR problem immediately which helps the field position game and can change the game on special teams, can come and split carries with Gore and extend his career, gives us more explosiveness in our new spread offense, AND he is a GREAT in pass-protection, something that kept Kory Sheets off the roster.
Last, does Haden grade out better than the Ohio State CB drafted at around #11 last year by the Saints?
I'd personally select Spiller over Haden, but I think the team will act differently. Both are ultra-talented players, but Spiller's speed is going to be a real problem for teams to contend with in the NFL. We saw firsthand yesterday how D. Jackson's speed destroyed us, and the league is witnessing Chris Johnson blowing past them every week. Speed kills.
If you have a burner on the field who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, it completely changes the game for your team, and the opposition. Spiller is the single player in this draft who can score on every touch.
So, in my draft world, I'd pick up the top graded OT, Spiller, and then target the best player in the secondary and OG with my second and third rounders.
In other words, I have absolutely no problem with the Clements-Spencer duo as starters. However, we would need some help at some point with the nickle and dime corners. I've never been sold on Brown, and feel no differently after seeing him play extensively in 2009.
As for Haden graded with Jenkins (who went 14th to the Saints), they are two different animals. Haden is the better coverage man, Jenkins the better tackler, Jenkins the more versatile. It depends on what each team wants. Both are terrific players.
Final note: I see Allen as the better pure FS over Ward, who can play FS but is better suited at SS. Both good players, but I think we need a guy who has a great feel at the FS position, and Allen is really savvy in the back end.
[ Edited by MadDog49er on Dec 21, 2009 at 12:42 PM ]