Isaac Sopoaga moving to NT

Originally posted by ninerlifer:
I think RJF is more than capable of filling in. He had a great pre season against starters last year....and filled in well in spot duty to spell Franklin...alot of people are forgetting about this guy.

I would like to see Sopoaga and RJF in a rotation at NT.

Originally posted by ninerlifer:
I think RJF is more than capable of filling in. He had a great pre season against starters last year....and filled in well in spot duty to spell Franklin...alot of people are forgetting about this guy.

RJF look good in pre-season and the during the season got his ass mauled. Better off with Soap and moving RJF to LDE if Franklin gets to FA. Atleast until RJF gets bigger and much much stronger.

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by English:
We have been here before. And if I recall, it didnt go all that well. If this is the way it goes, why did t we draft a NT on the 3rd day? Not to start, but to backup and for the future?

I use to think that too, but then I thought, why settle? The NT position is very important, you dont use a 3rd rounder to be a back up. I bet we decided to wait, make do this year and then next year grab a legit franchise player with the first or second pick.

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Don't dislike this. RJF backing up? Did he get any playing time last year? Interested to hear how he looked.

RJF was a preseason beast, then just disappeared. I'm sure Franklin showing up had a lot to do with it. With that said, I ok with going into a lockout season with a new head coach expecting to use Soap and RJF. I'm confident Soap can hold his own, I just dont know he will be dominate. RJF is very, very strong (but not heavy) he may be a pleasent suprise. If not, "With the 15th pick of the draft, Niners select......"

15th? We gonna trade up?

Yeah, 17 spots....

Originally posted by jimmy49erfan:

Originally posted by ninerlifer:
I think RJF is more than capable of filling in. He had a great pre season against starters last year....and filled in well in spot duty to spell Franklin...alot of people are forgetting about this guy.

RJF look good in pre-season and the during the season got his ass mauled. Better off with Soap and moving RJF to LDE if Franklin gets to FA. Atleast until RJF gets bigger and much much stronger.

Much, much stronger? The dude is our teams squat champion (or something close to it). He just needs to learn the position, though I dont know he has the ideal mass/ frame.

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by jimmy49erfan:

Originally posted by ninerlifer:
I think RJF is more than capable of filling in. He had a great pre season against starters last year....and filled in well in spot duty to spell Franklin...alot of people are forgetting about this guy.

RJF look good in pre-season and the during the season got his ass mauled. Better off with Soap and moving RJF to LDE if Franklin gets to FA. Atleast until RJF gets bigger and much much stronger.

Much, much stronger? The dude is our teams squat champion (or something close to it). He just needs to learn the position, though I dont know he has the ideal mass/ frame.

When did he get his ass mauled? I remember him doing pretty good

Not a good idea at all. He doesn't have the girth to play the position properly. Look at his body type and then look at Franklin's. He doesn't get low enough either. He has the off the field strength but we have to see that on the field. Just like a guy with a fast .40 but once in pads he can't get open. I really hope there is a better plan in place then this.

Would not be opposed to trying it out again under Fangio.

D-Line of J.Smith -- Sopoaga -- McDonald
Backups.. Evans -- Jean-Francois -- Tukuafu ?

In my opinion.. we need to find at least someone to replace Evans and develop as the 6th DL, because we have no one.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Would not be opposed to trying it out again under Fangio.

D-Line of J.Smith -- Sopoaga -- McDonald
Backups.. Evans -- Jean-Francois -- Tukuafu ?

In my opinion.. we need to find at least someone to replace Evans and develop as the 6th DL, because we have no one.

Maiocco did mention the possibility of a guy like Cincinnati's Jonathan Fanene.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Would not be opposed to trying it out again under Fangio.

D-Line of J.Smith -- Sopoaga -- McDonald
Backups.. Evans -- Jean-Francois -- Tukuafu ?

In my opinion.. we need to find at least someone to replace Evans and develop as the 6th DL, because we have no one.

Evans is crap

Originally posted by PTulini:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Would not be opposed to trying it out again under Fangio.

D-Line of J.Smith -- Sopoaga -- McDonald
Backups.. Evans -- Jean-Francois -- Tukuafu ?

In my opinion.. we need to find at least someone to replace Evans and develop as the 6th DL, because we have no one.

Maiocco did mention the possibility of a guy like Cincinnati's Jonathan Fanene.

Or spend a little more money on a guy like former Giant and soon-to-be free agent Barry "The Taser" Cofield (6'4", 310ish) to play LDE.

[ Edited by GhostofFredDean74 on May 9, 2011 at 13:46:06 ]

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:

Originally posted by PTulini:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Would not be opposed to trying it out again under Fangio.

D-Line of J.Smith -- Sopoaga -- McDonald
Backups.. Evans -- Jean-Francois -- Tukuafu ?

In my opinion.. we need to find at least someone to replace Evans and develop as the 6th DL, because we have no one.

Maiocco did mention the possibility of a guy like Cincinnati's Jonathan Fanene.

Or spend a little more money on a guy like former Giant and soon-to-be free agent Barry "The Taser" Cofield (6'4", 310ish) to play LDE.

sounds good

we still need an NT though lets hope franklin wants to come back

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by English:
We have been here before. And if I recall, it didnt go all that well. If this is the way it goes, why did t we draft a NT on the 3rd day? Not to start, but to backup and for the future?

Nah... Sopoaga was asked to play in a 2-gap when at NT. He sucked at it because the role required him to be efficient in play recognition. He lacked the instincts and awareness to take on blocks and snuff out play direction. As a 1-gapper, he will play more with his strengths of anchoring and penetrating an A gap.

This could very well end up being the case...but does anyone know if Fangio prefers a 1-gap NT (ala Franklin) or a 2-gapper (Wilfork)? I would hate to see Sopoaga make all this progress and LDE and then "again" be moved inside although, he should have much more success esp. if we go 1-gap. I too was not thrilled with ignoring the NT position but I have a feeling the team has a plan for this; seriously, Fangio essentially got the first pick in the draft so how would he let the NT position go ignored?

I would love a more prototypical wide-bodied NT to not only hold the point, win in short yardage plays but help collapse the pocket so the QB can't step up every freaking time. How nice huh?

I also think Sopoaga can be better utilized pushing up field and helping to seal the edge and collapse the pocket while assiting the OLB's and inside/out stunts!

check it out, NC...

Quote:
While at Stanford, Fua played in Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense, which gives him some unique insight as to certain aspects of the defense. Fua spoke with the media today and 49ers.com had a few of his comments related to his nose tackle role in Fangio's 3-4: "You wanted to penetrate, but not penetrate through gaps," Fua said. "You wanted to knock your guy back and get penetration pressing your man into the backfield. We played a 3-4 hybrid where I was playing both a shaded nose (tackle) and knock guys back one way, play head up and also as a three-technique. I've had experience all across the line."

http://www.ninersnation.com/2011/2/26/2017053/2011-nfl-combine-sione-fua-vic-fangio-3-4-2011-nfl-draft

Originally posted by modninerfan:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by jimmy49erfan:

Originally posted by ninerlifer:
I think RJF is more than capable of filling in. He had a great pre season against starters last year....and filled in well in spot duty to spell Franklin...alot of people are forgetting about this guy.

+ Show all quotes
RJF look good in pre-season and the during the season got his ass mauled. Better off with Soap and moving RJF to LDE if Franklin gets to FA. Atleast until RJF gets bigger and much much stronger.

Much, much stronger? The dude is our teams squat champion (or something close to it). He just needs to learn the position, though I dont know he has the ideal mass/ frame.

When did he get his ass mauled? I remember him doing pretty good

Yeah, in no way has RJF been "mauled" he did very well in the time that he did play. He and Soap our are strongest players, how can you get much stronger?

Im all for it.......that man is a line mover......he is sole reason why Justin Smith is a Pro Bowler.