Originally posted by 5thSFG:
I understand your point and tend to agree for the most part. But for me it's not a patience thing anymore…. I'm starting to believe we won't have another shot at winning it all under Kyle. Not all of it is his fault, some of it is.
im starting to believe his scheme is what makes us successful against good teams, but also what keeps us from being able to beat great teams. I also think a few of his philosophies are limiting factor, like the little interest in special teams and low emphasis on offensive line. The stats say he's unable to win gritty games consistently… I believe this has as much to do with his priorities in talent-acquisition as it does his scheme.
i won't go so far as to call for him to be fired anymore. My impatience has turned to indifference. He's shown zero interest in adjusting his philosophies… what we've done is what we'll continue to do… be a playoff-caliber team that can't compete with certain defensive schemes and won't tend to win the gritty games. The ball bounces against more often than it doesn't… on this large of a timeline the bad bounces of the game aren't the result of bad luck.
This is a very good, fair post - especially the bold & underlined. Not winning on ST (or at least being equal to your opponent) and not winning in the trenches on the OL vs. good teams has been a huge part in keeping this team from reaching its max potential and winning a SB under Shanahan. Will this team do what it takes to improve in these two key areas going forward by adding better talent and coaching?
I hope philosophies do change in these areas under Shanahan as we continue through Year 8 with him as HC. It's just too important when you're trying to beat quality teams and get over the hump in the playoffs. The old saying, "the game is won in the trenches," is so true - it allows teams to do what they want to do on both sides of the ball. And, ST is a big 3rd phase of the game - seems even bigger in today's NFL where there seems to be more parity than ever.
Though I feel very fortunate, I'm far from satisfied seeing all 5 SB wins...I want more like every fellow Niners fan. Can Shanahan (and Lynch) do what it takes to get this team #6?