Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Originally posted by random49er:
Originally posted by NCommand:
This. This is the real issue. And it's a well documented pattern over 7 off seasons. They simply don't value the OL anywhere near other positions. Kyle genuinely believes he just needs a solid OL to scheme around.
We fell all the way to 7th Overall in 2022,....per PFF.
If the OL isin't valued by the 49ers, then why do outsiders continue to value our OL?
#3 Overall in 2021 is just solid?
And what would taking an Olinemen in the 3rd round or later have done to change any of this?
Would 4 OLinemen by round 7 have guaranteed us a Top 2 OLine in a couple years?
And I say Top 2 because Top 3 was just "solid", per your take.
If we don't value the OLine then why have we been performing well there? Is this just a narrative that's going to continue on so long as others help feed into it? (See injuries, etc.)
There's a monumental sea of difference between something being an issue for a multi-billion dollar NFL franchise, and something being outside of what you personally prefer.
Dying to see the answer here.
Not sure what we are looking for here. Using PFF grades to show how much we value O line, or how outsiders value our line... That rating is based on the average of 5 players and you have Trents all time historically best seasons inflating everything because he is a goat. Its like saying that Lebron didnt have much talent around him during his first stint in Cleveland, and you saying "what do you mean, that team made the finals and was a top 8 team every year!" Well, yeah because they had Lebron. That 2021 squad is long gone. Mack is a 7 time pro bowler and likely HOFer and has not been replaced like for like and understandbly so. I dont recall the league coming knocking the doors down for Compton. And we didnt value Laken and especially Brunskill enough to pay them. If we truly had a top 3 line and valued that, we sure didnt put much effort into keeping that unit together.
But the real argument to be made is that the ratings are inflated because of the KS offense. I dont think other GMs and talent evaluators are claiming we have a top 5 line. We obviously have very good run schemes and get additional help from the best blocking TE and FB in the league. The passing game is quick reads and throws. Jimmy G was perennially top 5 in time to get rid of the ball. Brock did the same. In the last 2 years we are in the bottom 5 in sacks against. You really think thats because of Mcclincheys elite pass blocking or because Brock and Jimmy G were quick processors and the offense is designed to get to ball to Deebo/Aiyuk/Kittle/CMAC quickly? Has our running game been fantastic because the O line is elite, Breida/Mostert/Mitchell are elite, or the scheme is elite?
And this is the point. KS hides deficiencies with scheme. We are currently 16th in the league in offensive line spending. 12th in 2022. 17th in 2021. And pre Trent we were 28th. KS and Lynch want an average spend on O line, and to get above average results. And KS has done so, to great credit to him. And I'm generally fine with that strategy. Its an advantage when it works and it has mostly worked. But that means you are starting 5th round picks like McKivitz. It means your starting relative unknowns like Brendel. It means theres a revolving door at multiple positions. And if thats your design, you better at least hit on competent late picks, UDFAs, and practice squad guys every year. You flood the roster with late round guys like Moore, Burford, Zakelj. You need to hit on UDFAs like Poe. You take chances on guys like Alfredo G because you need to cast a wide net to hit some where. We didnt put the net out this weekend. I dont buy the nobody available excuse. Half of the picks in the top 20 of the 4th round was Oline: Saldiveri, Freeland, Dawand, Andrews, Bradford, Zavala, Sow, Braden Daniels, Carter Warren. The league saw value there. Guarantee there is a year 1 starter in that group, and several year 2 starters. We didnt cast the net because we liked our stock. All I'm saying is, we should not be content with a competent player and should be swinging for the fences more.
At some point football is football and not analytics. I understand the varying circumstance... but Jimmy G. HURT. Lance. HURT. Purdy. HURT. JJ comes in for a hot minute and HURT. Its not a bad idea to want to have another all pro on this line. Thats not going to happen unless you put some resources into it.
[ Edited by scooterhd on Apr 30, 2023 at 1:03 PM ]
