Originally posted by OnTheClock:
I can agree for the most part. I harped on this fact ALL off-season when we were all in draft discussions. I said we ABSOLUTELY NEEDED a guy who could win the 1 on 1 battle OUTSIDE of the scheme. We need players who can go beyond the scheme and make plays when it's simply not working. Guys who are open even when covered. Threats no matter what the defense is doing.
Bourne, Taylor, Pettis, James -- none of them have proven to be like this. We'll see if Aiyuk's speed and catch radius make him that guy. Deebo has the physicality to win SOMEtimes but not consistently enough yet, honestly. And the way he plays makes him an injury risk, so I definitely worry about that.
We need more pure playmakers instead of settling for a bunch of solid-but-unspectacular guys. KB, Pettis, and Taylor all are guys who CAN make some plays, but they aren't going to take over a game. They can't straight up dominate on talent or natural gifts alone at some point.
Hate to keep beating the drum, but more than half of the type of scenario that you're describing depends on the QB's ability to play sandlot football when the play breaks down. Great ones can do that.
I have yet to see our QB show an ability to paly in that capacity. I don't think that right now he can. He's a one read QB right now. One cannot predict the future. Can he develop into that kind of QB? Right now I'd lay odds against it; doesn't have the physical tools. Also it may well be that the coach prohibits the QB taking such liberties. And our QB is further limited by not being very mobile.
It's simply unjustified to be laying the teams offensive problems at the feet of the WRs. QB's not giving them a chance to shine. That's the simple truth. you can see it in the body language of the receivers when they are open on a route and the pass goes to another check down.
The game JG plays is: One predetermined read, quick throw and let the receiver play the YAC game; a tough RB-type receiver. Aiyuk and Deebo are ideal WR candidates. Unfortunately Deebo may not be someone that the team can rely on long term, Supplement them with Kittle - catch and run monster. And the team's receiving RB's Mostert and Mckinnon and you have a complement that's perfectly capable of doing big damage.
Let's see how JG develops over the next three games. Two are gimme's that should bolster his confidence. It's the perfect setup for him
