Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Originally posted by NCommand:
Oh no, I agree! One MAJOR aspect of coaching is recognizing and developing talent. Remember, all the moves we made that year? Chuck'd Lawson for Brooks and quite a few other moves, cuts, promotions, etc. JT and staff are inheriting probably, the best and deepest roster in the NFL top-to-bottom. Logan already noted that and alluded to his #1 responsibility of "not screwing it up" and that all they need to do (as a staff) is "take the corvette down to the car wash and then let it go!" Paraphrased of course.
Not sure I agree with this NC. For instance, the OL is very questionable...Staley is the only true pass/run solid guy. I think Kilgore is very good if he can stay healthy and Davis is OK if healthy but this line was a shambles all last year and needs to learn to play together. Truly hope Thomas is the real thing and M Martin as well.
The WRs are almost all in the 6'0"/6'1" 200 range. Ellington and Patton may be very good in the near future but one is 5'9" and the other falls into the 6' 200 group. No real diversity. I'm hoping the revamped scheme can help these guys get separation! GO LOGAN!
The third element of the offense that falls into the questionable area is QB. No backup and a starting QB learning to be an NFL level guy. Am anxious to see if CK just needed better coaching and a more NFL ready scheme or was his lack of vision the issue?
All these issues could be answered n a very pleasing way, or some of them, or none of them...we will likely know by the 4th or 5th game of the season. I think a huge improvement is possible just by speeding up the offense and making it more aggressive...attacking with quick hits and runs to keep the D on their heals.
Hoping for the best!
Good stuff! Naturally, I'm speaking collectively (from starters to backups all the way down to the PS) compared to the rest of the NFL.
I'd say re: the OL, we have 10 guys under contract with 1 FA who's a one-trick pony (albeit, he's great at pulling). All of them, say for one, Brandon Thomas, has played extensively in our system as well. I still believe this OL has way more talent than we realize and feel there just needs to be some minor personnel changes, switches and better coaching and scheme. I'm sure we'll still nab another OL in FA and in the draft. It's what we do. It was also obvious, guys weren't playing with any sense of urgency or playing up to their capabilities. None of the veterans. Scheme-wise, our biggest weakness is pass protection, so the coaches called for the most 20+ pass plays in the NFL despite passing way less than teams like the Pats. I'd say the best "starting" OL is probably Dallas. But we're probably deeper and should be able to compete right up there with a few changes IMHO.
For sure about the WR position. That said, even w/o Crabtree, we still have three proven apx. 1,000 yard receivers in Boldin, Johnson and VD. We had up to five with Crabtree and Lloyd. Some teams don't have one. Were they used correctly? Of course not. Like the OL, the WR weakness was top end speed that backed CB's deep off the LOS. That said, the strengths of the WR's were never go-routes anyway. They were proven in short area quickness, crossing patterns, horizontal attacks, finding holes in the zones, tough catches in traffic, in the seams, YAC, etc. I also think Patton and Ellington are way faster than some think but were never used, obviously. Boldin was rarely used in the slot to keep him clean esp. in the RZ and for jump balls (killed us in the Superbowl). I think, like the OL, there is way more talent than people realize. I think the best "starters" are either in Chicago or Detroit/Dallas. We'll have to see what we do in FA/draft to see if we can compete here or if collectively, this groups can produce similar results vs. primary one or two targets.
Great point about the QB position. Obviously, when CK has time, like any QB, he's going to tear you up esp. as a dual threat. I still love Johnson's game though and think his style matches up well with CK and what we try to accomplish. Gabbert? He may be a better fit now if we go to a more pure WCO. But you're right, there are better starting and backup combinations in the game there.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you talked about scheme (philosophy). A good OC will get guys wide open and running free (you see this all the time on other teams), take advantage of defensive weaknesses, tendencies, etc.
I still think we have one of the most talented and deepest rosters collectively and would love to see a side-by-side match-up with any team in the NFL. Like when Harbaugh first arrived, I still have that same feeling today...that a few personnel moves need to be made, others utilized, some utilized better/properly, etc. and you'll see a WORLD of difference.
Teaching/coaching and esp. scheme is going to make a big difference in 2015...that's my hope anyway!
[ Edited by NCommand on Feb 12, 2015 at 6:50 AM ]
