49ers Offensive Line

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
Not to mention that baalke has a stable of RBs ready to go or to go in for certain plays, or to give Hyde a blow. So not only do we have a stable of OLs we have the same at the RB position. And that just makes an injury that much easier to recover from. Some teams don't have 5 starting OLs, and we do...plus at least 4 likely starters elsewhere, who can come in to take over if a man goes down. Now that should make somebody feel good about our OL/running game.

I also really dont like this. Talk about tipping your hand. It doesn't matter how good you are, if you tell the other team what your going to do with certain personnel packages, its probably not going to work. The NFL is Darwinian as it gets. You might be able to trick a team/s for a while, but it wont work for very long. Remember how dominant the "jumbo package" was for a season? Remember how hapless it was there after? Same thing. If teams know whats coming in general, you're screwed.

I really don't think this will be any more of a tip than Gore, Hunter and Booby Dixon. They can all get outside better than Gore and they can all catch out of the backfield...so I'm not too worried. Can the niners be any more predictable than they were with Roman...OK, besides being with Raye?

This.

Everyone on the planet knew what were going to do on offense.

We went from being the most unpredictable offense in 2012 to THE most predictable in 2014 but it started in 2013, really. 2014 defenses had our game plans down to a science and made even more in-game adjustments to absolutely bury our offense in the 2nd halfs of games.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
Not to mention that baalke has a stable of RBs ready to go or to go in for certain plays, or to give Hyde a blow. So not only do we have a stable of OLs we have the same at the RB position. And that just makes an injury that much easier to recover from. Some teams don't have 5 starting OLs, and we do...plus at least 4 likely starters elsewhere, who can come in to take over if a man goes down. Now that should make somebody feel good about our OL/running game.

I also really dont like this. Talk about tipping your hand. It doesn't matter how good you are, if you tell the other team what your going to do with certain personnel packages, its probably not going to work. The NFL is Darwinian as it gets. You might be able to trick a team/s for a while, but it wont work for very long. Remember how dominant the "jumbo package" was for a season? Remember how hapless it was there after? Same thing. If teams know whats coming in general, you're screwed.

I really don't think this will be any more of a tip than Gore, Hunter and Booby Dixon. They can all get outside better than Gore and they can all catch out of the backfield...so I'm not too worried. Can the niners be any more predictable than they were with Roman...OK, besides being with Raye?

This.

Everyone on the planet knew what were going to do on offense.

We went from being the most unpredictable offense in 2012 to THE most predictable in 2014 but it started in 2013, really. 2014 defenses had our game plans down to a science and made even more in-game adjustments to absolutely bury our offense in the 2nd halfs of games.

It was sooooooooo frustrating.

The worst part for me was the total lack of play calling adjustments when our coaches saw the enemy was ready for what were trying to do.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
It was sooooooooo frustrating.

The worst part for me was the total lack of play calling adjustments when our coaches saw the enemy was ready for what were trying to do.

so many times people knew what we were going to do before we did it. is there anyway we can blame injuries on this?

Originally posted by cciowa:

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
It was sooooooooo frustrating.

The worst part for me was the total lack of play calling adjustments when our coaches saw the enemy was ready for what were trying to do.

so many times people knew what we were going to do before we did it. is there anyway we can blame injuries on this?

No.

Injuries were a factor BUT every team has injuries.

The play calling was one of the worst in the NFL and probably the worst in the last 30 years of Niner history.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
Personally, I dont like what I'm reading about the coaching staffs approach to the offensive line. It smacks of someone without vision or identity. As most of you have already pointed out, ZBS is totally different than the power run game we are use to and built for. It takes a different kind of player than what we've been drafting.Of course, with the exception of Staley, every other position is in flux and up for grabs. It should not be overlooked that to be able to run both schemes, you need very intelligent and gifted players. IMO, Staley is the only player clearly talented enough to run both schemes at an elite level. He has the size, quickness and conditioning. Everyone else is a giant question mark, emphasis on the word GIANT. They are different schemes and require different strengths. So unless you think we have a starting line up of All-Pros, we may be in for a rude awaking. In other words, we could end up with a bunch of guys who can execute both schemes, but neither scheme at an elite level. I would hate for our Oline to be the "jack of all trades, master of none" of the NFL.


Moreover, the last thing we need is our YOUNG Oline getting all confused about who they should be blocking on any given play. Information overload, here we come.... No matter how you slice it, I expect there to be a gigantic learning curve and serious growing pains. This is the NFL, not HS football. All 31 teams are also professionals and come to play. To think we are going to implement a new scheme with our new oline and dominate in the first year is the epitome of arrogance. The Oline USED to be the strength of our team, now its the biggest question mark.

Seems legit to me. Lots to sort out between now and then. Fortunately we have the best ZBS coaches on staff but ultimately this OL is going to be paramount to our success or misfortune. Otherwise scheme (all passes out under 3 seconds) is going to have to help out a lot early on.

Look to Washington when F was the line coach, they ran the ball well, then after he left and the skins tried to do like the niners they stunk. I think it is easier in ZBS to pass protect. On running plays that maybe different. Also besides Staley, Pears and Boone are more than adept at being able to do both. The some of the other may be actually better suited to ZBS. Plus with Hunter Bush and Hyde as the RBs, ZBS may actually be better for their style of running. If they can pull it off, it will keep D guessing as to how they should make their line calls.

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
Personally, I dont like what I'm reading about the coaching staffs approach to the offensive line. It smacks of someone without vision or identity. As most of you have already pointed out, ZBS is totally different than the power run game we are use to and built for. It takes a different kind of player than what we've been drafting.Of course, with the exception of Staley, every other position is in flux and up for grabs. It should not be overlooked that to be able to run both schemes, you need very intelligent and gifted players. IMO, Staley is the only player clearly talented enough to run both schemes at an elite level. He has the size, quickness and conditioning. Everyone else is a giant question mark, emphasis on the word GIANT. They are different schemes and require different strengths. So unless you think we have a starting line up of All-Pros, we may be in for a rude awaking. In other words, we could end up with a bunch of guys who can execute both schemes, but neither scheme at an elite level. I would hate for our Oline to be the "jack of all trades, master of none" of the NFL.


Moreover, the last thing we need is our YOUNG Oline getting all confused about who they should be blocking on any given play. Information overload, here we come.... No matter how you slice it, I expect there to be a gigantic learning curve and serious growing pains. This is the NFL, not HS football. All 31 teams are also professionals and come to play. To think we are going to implement a new scheme with our new oline and dominate in the first year is the epitome of arrogance. The Oline USED to be the strength of our team, now its the biggest question mark.

Seems legit to me. Lots to sort out between now and then. Fortunately we have the best ZBS coaches on staff but ultimately this OL is going to be paramount to our success or misfortune. Otherwise scheme (all passes out under 3 seconds) is going to have to help out a lot early on.

Look to Washington when F was the line coach, they ran the ball well, then after he left and the skins tried to do like the niners they stunk. I think it is easier in ZBS to pass protect. On running plays that maybe different. Also besides Staley, Pears and Boone are more than adept at being able to do both. The some of the other may be actually better suited to ZBS. Plus with Hunter Bush and Hyde as the RBs, ZBS may actually be better for their style of running. If they can pull it off, it will keep D guessing as to how they should make their line calls.

Kilgore is more smart then strong as a lineman so I think he fits right in. Im worried about Boone's height on the inside. Pears will be fine you'll get an average to below average player(still not as bad as jonathan martin), and I think Thomas and martin have all the athleticism to play the position. I think we are actually better built at this point to run the ZBS then the power scheme since all of our young guys really on athleticism not strength for their game.

I really think we need to have our most talent on the field and the future line and let them gel. staley, thomas, Martin, Kilgore, Boone. Kilgore has been around long enough to play guard and he's athletic. Boone wants a big deal and he's here... We move him to tackle. See how he plays and gels and give him a good tackle contract.

Originally posted by Joeymac49ers:

I really think we need to have our most talent on the field and the future line and let them gel. staley, thomas, Martin, Kilgore, Boone. Kilgore has been around long enough to play guard and he's athletic. Boone wants a big deal and he's here... We move him to tackle. See how he plays and gels and give him a good tackle contract.

I like Martin more at guard. Dudes a moose. 100% agree about Boone. Earn yourself a contract.

Originally posted by Homer:

Originally posted by Joeymac49ers:

I really think we need to have our most talent on the field and the future line and let them gel. staley, thomas, Martin, Kilgore, Boone. Kilgore has been around long enough to play guard and he's athletic. Boone wants a big deal and he's here... We move him to tackle. See how he plays and gels and give him a good tackle contract.

I like Martin more at guard. Dudes a moose. 100% agree about Boone. Earn yourself a contract.

I say Martin at center b/c that might be the most important part of the line. Might not get the biggest contracts but most important and Martin can play there for 7-8 years for us and maybe longer if we pay him big. At that time he'll still only be 27-28! But yea, play with Kilgore/Martin at Center/Guard. If 1 struggles you have Pears as a veteran backup to come in and play guard.

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
Personally, I dont like what I'm reading about the coaching staffs approach to the offensive line. It smacks of someone without vision or identity. As most of you have already pointed out, ZBS is totally different than the power run game we are use to and built for. It takes a different kind of player than what we've been drafting.Of course, with the exception of Staley, every other position is in flux and up for grabs. It should not be overlooked that to be able to run both schemes, you need very intelligent and gifted players. IMO, Staley is the only player clearly talented enough to run both schemes at an elite level. He has the size, quickness and conditioning. Everyone else is a giant question mark, emphasis on the word GIANT. They are different schemes and require different strengths. So unless you think we have a starting line up of All-Pros, we may be in for a rude awaking. In other words, we could end up with a bunch of guys who can execute both schemes, but neither scheme at an elite level. I would hate for our Oline to be the "jack of all trades, master of none" of the NFL.


Moreover, the last thing we need is our YOUNG Oline getting all confused about who they should be blocking on any given play. Information overload, here we come.... No matter how you slice it, I expect there to be a gigantic learning curve and serious growing pains. This is the NFL, not HS football. All 31 teams are also professionals and come to play. To think we are going to implement a new scheme with our new oline and dominate in the first year is the epitome of arrogance. The Oline USED to be the strength of our team, now its the biggest question mark.

Seems legit to me. Lots to sort out between now and then. Fortunately we have the best ZBS coaches on staff but ultimately this OL is going to be paramount to our success or misfortune. Otherwise scheme (all passes out under 3 seconds) is going to have to help out a lot early on.

Look to Washington when F was the line coach, they ran the ball well, then after he left and the skins tried to do like the niners they stunk. I think it is easier in ZBS to pass protect. On running plays that maybe different. Also besides Staley, Pears and Boone are more than adept at being able to do both. The some of the other may be actually better suited to ZBS. Plus with Hunter Bush and Hyde as the RBs, ZBS may actually be better for their style of running. If they can pull it off, it will keep D guessing as to how they should make their line calls.

I'm hoping that same success can translate here. It would be interesting to review the talent of the OL in Denver, Redskins and other ZBS teams like the Hawks and Ravens last year. Were they top notch talented or more plug-n-play? It would be a cool project to see if we can project out here.

Staley, Thomas, M.Martin, Looney, Boone is my ideal line-up.

Originally posted by ModestoNiner33:

Staley, Thomas, M.Martin, Looney, Boone is my ideal line-up.

Kilgore was the second best lineman on the squad before he got hurt. Barring injury, he's the center and that's not a bad thing. Looney sucks.

Originally posted by ModestoNiner33:
Staley, Thomas, M.Martin, Looney, Boone is my ideal line-up.

Man - you guys keep UNDER- estimating Kilgore.

Last year he was playing better than any of our Olinemen until he was injured.

IMO, he'll come back w/a vengence

Staley and Boone should have special tryouts with the other linemen to see who jells best with them. The tryout could look like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyck101y1zg

Where is WRATH? I'm struggling with finding the best lineup myself:

BOONE - THOMAS - KILGORE - MARTIN - STALEY

Staley is getting older and this is usually when you see a change from LT to RT. Boone is in heaven at LT for obvious reasons. Kilgore excels at IQ and on angles and blocking on the move making him an ideal fit for the ZBS. Thomas and Martin give you youth and power and the ability of mobility and power runs (pulling guards) as well.