Ahkello Witherspoon, CB

Originally posted by SFrush:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Sorry, but E-man should get the start next week. I feel bad for Spoon, but it's better for the team that he sits.

It's not even up for discussion anymore. Moseley has officially taken his job.

Boy, are you going to be surprised when you find out that Shanahan and Saleh have not given up on Witherspoon like you have.

My guess is Akello gets the starting nod in the NFC Championship Game. And, once again, he'll be on a short leash.

Originally posted by SFrush:
It's not even up for discussion anymore. Moseley has officially taken his job.

Not so sure Whither will be on the roster next season. Drafting and or FA CB should be a priority especially with Sherm getting older.

Originally posted by billbird2111:

Originally posted by SFrush:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Sorry, but E-man should get the start next week. I feel bad for Spoon, but it's better for the team that he sits.

It's not even up for discussion anymore. Moseley has officially taken his job.

Boy, are you going to be surprised when you find out that Shanahan and Saleh have not given up on Witherspoon like you have.

My guess is Akello gets the starting nod in the NFC Championship Game. And, once again, he'll be on a short leash.

Clearly your the one in for a surprise.

Originally posted by SFrush:

Originally posted by billbird2111:

Originally posted by SFrush:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Sorry, but E-man should get the start next week. I feel bad for Spoon, but it's better for the team that he sits.

It's not even up for discussion anymore. Moseley has officially taken his job.

Boy, are you going to be surprised when you find out that Shanahan and Saleh have not given up on Witherspoon like you have.

My guess is Akello gets the starting nod in the NFC Championship Game. And, once again, he'll be on a short leash.

Clearly your the one in for a surprise.

We'll see

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Like with Pettis, this game reveals character and if you don't have the right mental makeup, you WILL be exposed.

Honestly, I think Witherspoon is in a worse condition than Pettis in some ways. Dante doesn't get rattled, he is apathetic. He openly admits he doesn't care about dropping a pass. Witherspoon cares so much it absolutely destroys him and he becomes non-functional. To me, that's worse in-game because you have no choice but to keep him off the field.

Good point. For both, the worst kinds of players for coaches. All that talent...just not the right character or mental makeup.

Originally posted by billbird2111:

Originally posted by SFrush:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Sorry, but E-man should get the start next week. I feel bad for Spoon, but it's better for the team that he sits.

It's not even up for discussion anymore. Moseley has officially taken his job.

Boy, are you going to be surprised when you find out that Shanahan and Saleh have not given up on Witherspoon like you have.

My guess is Akello gets the starting nod in the NFC Championship Game. And, once again, he'll be on a short leash.

I sincerely hope you are wrong, but it definitely won't surprise me if he gets the start. But IMHO I think it's best that E-Man gets the start.

Spoon has been benched in consecutive games. He's not starting the NFC Title Game.

Ahkilla Defense is done. Sherm can help him pack his bags. If he starts or plays we will LOSE.. it's that simple. My 11 year old sister gives the Niners a better chance to win. I don't care what round he was drafted in.. 23 is camp fodder

Originally posted by Hopper:
Spoon has been benched in consecutive games. He's not starting the NFC Title Game.

I don't know. He could have an OUTSTANDING practice this week...

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by NCommand:
Like with Pettis, this game reveals character and if you don't have the right mental makeup, you WILL be exposed.

Honestly, I think Witherspoon is in a worse condition than Pettis in some ways. Dante doesn't get rattled, he is apathetic. He openly admits he doesn't care about dropping a pass. Witherspoon cares so much it absolutely destroys him and he becomes non-functional. To me, that's worse in-game because you have no choice but to keep him off the field.

Good point. For both, the worst kinds of players for coaches. All that talent...just not the right character or mental makeup.

Not sure how he has made it this far with that kind of attitude. CB is a position where you have to have a bad memory and must overcome mistakes quickly. I would equate it to the same mentality needed of a hockey goalie - steady emotionally especially when you fail.

What further evidence do the coaches need? Game changes once he was on the bench. No way he should be playing unless there is an injury. What a big time liability and every team will just attack him.

Moseley has been such a gem. He's critical for us now

Originally posted by Hopper:
Spoon has been benched in consecutive games. He's not starting the NFC Title Game.

I would give him another shot when camp rolls around, but yeah, should just shelve him the rest of the year.

Originally posted by mayo49:
Moseley the rest of the way - Witherspoon has to work on his game. He's just lost his confidence right now.

SALEH should allow SPOOF and Varrett to practive covering one another !!!

Originally posted by mitpdub:

Originally posted by Dshearn:
Spoon looked very good early in the season, especially playing over the top and using his length when in zone. I like the guy, but he really does look like a one trick pony. He reminds me a bit of Marquez Pope, he needs a shorter field, he needs the sideline...he needs help to shrink the route tree he has to face. That issue more than any is probably why he started, i would suspect he gets murdered in the slot. The second the WR gets a three yard cushion, a CB is almost guaranteed that will have to defend from a trailing position. It might be the best way for the 49ers to get their top 3 CBs on the field is to keep Spoon outside. Maybe he will be a late bloomer and they can get more grade A work out of him, but thats a contact i would not renew unless it was very cheap.

Does playing well against Winston the 30/30 man and Pittsburgh's back up really count though?

When the 49er defense was 100% he sure seemed to be playing face up coverage a lot more often. The guy is a night and day difference the second he has to turn his back and cover in a trailing position. The real issue with Spoon is his lack of aggressiveness, Spoon really does look a little like Marquez Pope in coverage, the real difference being he likely does not have the aggressiveness to transition to safety.

I really like Spoon, I am a spoon fan....but yeah.... he has feasted against some subpar QBs, and struggled against some good QBs. That does not bode well for a playoff run.

Originally posted by billbird2111:

Originally posted by SFrush:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:

Sorry, but E-man should get the start next week. I feel bad for Spoon, but it's better for the team that he sits.

It's not even up for discussion anymore. Moseley has officially taken his job.

Boy, are you going to be surprised when you find out that Shanahan and Saleh have not given up on Witherspoon like you have.

My guess is Akello gets the starting nod in the NFC Championship Game. And, once again, he'll be on a short leash.

This whole thing should be an afterthought. It's almost like Saleh is hoping Spoon has a breakout game or interception. But at this point he's digging his confidence a deeper grave. Spoon needs to come off the bench in relief, Saleh is not helping him by getting him burned repeatedly on National TV. When he's in everyone know the balls coming his way, except him because he never turns his head.