Originally posted by zeppfan1:
Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:Much like the OL it's been a blind spot with this regime for yrs.
This - it's as plain as day.
In the ultra-competitive NFL ("any given Sunday"), you cannot be this bad on ST and expect to get away with it, especially against good teams. ST/the "3rd Phase" is so important to either be at level or winning in this area every game...don't blow it here and allow a team momentum (like last night) or to take control of a close game.
We saw what happened in this past SB...KC didn't have a TD but SF opened the door wide open for them late in the 3rd Qtr. with that bad turnover on the punt return (what was Luter, a guy who barely played at all last year and a rookie, doing out there on ST anyway?). People might say that particular play was a fluke play...I say to a degree it was but really it wasn't because you have to have the right guys out there in the right position, especially in as big a game as the SB.
You don't see teams like the Chiefs making such game-changing errors on ST in big games. You really need to be good in all three phases in today's NFL where it's as competitive as ever with rosters being only so deep (salary cap), player injuries (to further test that lack of depth), etc.
How can you keep repeating that BS' They're used a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks on O linemen. They've signed traded for Trent Williams. They signed a couple of good centers who were past their prime but serviceable for a year or two. They can't use a 1st or 2nd round pick every year if there isn't anyone worth drafting late in the round. The line isn't good right now at pass blocking. I'm sure they realize that and are hoping a couple of guys might improve. If they continue to struggle all year I'm sure they'll try to address it in the off season. If they go deep into the playoffs again they aren't going to have a shot at any of the top guys so their best bet might be free agency.