What improvements need to be made?

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:
We need to draft and/or sign a badass blocking tight end. Someone who doesn't need to catch a single pass all year, but be a mauler in the blocking department.

I am sick and tired of our elite tight end blocking for 70% of the plays. What's even more infuriating is watching Kittle block while Woerner runs a pattern.

Charlie Woerner was supposed to be this

Yup...

for areas of need, internally I would like them to try and keep the following....
UFA: Jones, Tomlinson, Key (might not be possible given his niche role and potential cost), and bring back Verrett and Wilson on a 1 year incentive laden deals. If they can get Tartt back on the cheap then sure, but his injury history is concerning.
RFA: tender Brunskill, Azeez and Street
ERFA: Jennings and Givens

External FA's I'd like them to target:
ER-Lorenzo Carter or Charles Harris both fit the speed ER role they covet and should not break the bank.
CB: Donte Jackson or Reed Jr. Both can play inside and out (and in Reed's case Safety as well) and bring a ton of versatility.

Outside of that hope that Mack comes back and Banks or Moore can earn that RG spot then get a C in the draft to groom behind Mack

For sure the secondary they lead the league in PI penalties and most yards to PI penalties, we lost games because of that reason. We didn't give up big pass plays because we always got caught for that PI and that is huge in this league right now especially how almost every team is first pass offensive minded.

Originally posted by Papachon:
For sure the secondary they lead the league in PI penalties and most yards to PI penalties, we lost games because of that reason. We didn't give up big pass plays because we always got caught for that PI and that is huge in this league right now especially how almost every team is first pass offensive minded.

This, but to be fair… Our defense did cut down on PI by the end of the year.

Originally posted by Papachon:
For sure the secondary they lead the league in PI penalties and most yards to PI penalties, we lost games because of that reason. We didn't give up big pass plays because we always got caught for that PI and that is huge in this league right now especially how almost every team is first pass offensive minded.

Didn't this get better as Mosely and Thomas settled into the CB's? I know it was bad at the beginning of the year when Norman and Lennoir were playing more.

Looking at all position groups here...

DT - We must retain DJ Jones. If he leaves as a FA, we have a hole on the interior DL. Getting Kinlaw back should help. But he hasn't proven himself yet.
DE - We need a pass rush thread opposite Bosa. Dee Ford has been a bust. We must cut him to get back some cap space. Ebukam was a nice suprise and I think we have him for another year. But we need to look to add another pass rusher on the outside.
LB - Al Shaair is a RFA. Hopefully we retain him. If so, this position group is solid.
DB - Ambry Thomas showed some promise and we have Ward and Mosely under contract too. I think we could upgrade our slot CB and S though and let Tartt and Williams walk. With Cooper Kupp in the division, having a top tier slot CB should be a priority.

QB - All in on Trey Lance. Not much else to say here.
OL - Both Tackle spots should be locked down with Trent Williams and Mike Mcglinchey. Mckivitz played well as a backup too. Retaining Laken Tomlinson should be a top FA priority. He's been stellar. But we should certainly look for a C and/or G. Mack won't play forever. Hopefully he comes back for 2022. But we should still groom a long term replacement. As for Aaron Banks, hopefully he steps up.... otherwise, Guard is a need too. Overall I though OL play was quite good this year, but we always seem to have depth issues.
WR - This is one of the teams strengths. Deebo, Aiyuk, and Jennings are a fierce trio (unfair if you count Kittle too). If we had a QB that could get them the ball anywhere on the field, we'd have a major passing game.
TE - Again, good here. Maybe could use some better depth.
RB - I love Mitchel. But clearly Shannahan likes a 1-2 punch. That's why he played Deebo at RB so much. We should look for that complementary back so Deebo can play more at WR.

Overall, roster looks pretty solid. I mean, we made it to the NFCC game. QB is the biggest opportunity to upgrade the team. DB and interior OL are next.

We MUST retain Laken Tomlinson, Azeez Al Shaair, and DJ Jones. If we do that, we don't have a lot of holes.

KS must GO !!

Originally posted by 9moon:
KS must GO !!

Nope.

Originally posted by Fanaticofnfl:

Originally posted by 9moon:
KS must GO !!

Nope.

Shanny was actually smart enough to trade for a young intriguing QB prospect, buying his self another 3 years and have already sold the idea to his followers that Baby Face ain't ready this year..

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by Papachon:
For sure the secondary they lead the league in PI penalties and most yards to PI penalties, we lost games because of that reason. We didn't give up big pass plays because we always got caught for that PI and that is huge in this league right now especially how almost every team is first pass offensive minded.

Didn't this get better as Mosely and Thomas settled into the CB's? I know it was bad at the beginning of the year when Norman and Lennoir were playing more.

I agree, but I think we still need another solid CB to solidify our ranks . Once guys went down, it got ugly very quick. Maybe like Desmond King. And bring back Varrett on the cheap.

Originally posted by martysofresh:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by Papachon:
For sure the secondary they lead the league in PI penalties and most yards to PI penalties, we lost games because of that reason. We didn't give up big pass plays because we always got caught for that PI and that is huge in this league right now especially how almost every team is first pass offensive minded.

Didn't this get better as Mosely and Thomas settled into the CB's? I know it was bad at the beginning of the year when Norman and Lennoir were playing more.

I agree, but I think we still need another solid CB to solidify our ranks . Once guys went down, it got ugly very quick. Maybe like Desmond King. And bring back Varrett on the cheap.

both SS & FS must also be replaced.. Good tacklers, but clueless when the ball is in the air.

Originally posted by blm7754:
Looking at all position groups here...

DT - We must retain DJ Jones. If he leaves as a FA, we have a hole on the interior DL. Getting Kinlaw back should help. But he hasn't proven himself yet.
DE - We need a pass rush thread opposite Bosa. Dee Ford has been a bust. We must cut him to get back some cap space. Ebukam was a nice suprise and I think we have him for another year. But we need to look to add another pass rusher on the outside.
LB - Al Shaair is a RFA. Hopefully we retain him. If so, this position group is solid.
DB - Ambry Thomas showed some promise and we have Ward and Mosely under contract too. I think we could upgrade our slot CB and S though and let Tartt and Williams walk. With Cooper Kupp in the division, having a top tier slot CB should be a priority.

QB - All in on Trey Lance. Not much else to say here.
OL - Both Tackle spots should be locked down with Trent Williams and Mike Mcglinchey. Mckivitz played well as a backup too. Retaining Laken Tomlinson should be a top FA priority. He's been stellar. But we should certainly look for a C and/or G. Mack won't play forever. Hopefully he comes back for 2022. But we should still groom a long term replacement. As for Aaron Banks, hopefully he steps up.... otherwise, Guard is a need too. Overall I though OL play was quite good this year, but we always seem to have depth issues.
WR - This is one of the teams strengths. Deebo, Aiyuk, and Jennings are a fierce trio (unfair if you count Kittle too). If we had a QB that could get them the ball anywhere on the field, we'd have a major passing game.
TE - Again, good here. Maybe could use some better depth.
RB - I love Mitchel. But clearly Shannahan likes a 1-2 punch. That's why he played Deebo at RB so much. We should look for that complementary back so Deebo can play more at WR.

Overall, roster looks pretty solid. I mean, we made it to the NFCC game. QB is the biggest opportunity to upgrade the team. DB and interior OL are next.

We MUST retain Laken Tomlinson, Azeez Al Shaair, and DJ Jones. If we do that, we don't have a lot of holes.

RB: I agree. Sucks that we spent a 3rd on Sermon and h as Wilson, but neither are beating out Deebo for carries or are able to Mitchell for a few downs. Not sure if the guy is on the roster, but maybe bring in Marlon Mack and Devonta Freeman in camp and see what happens.

WR: We desperately need a WR/ KR/PR that threatens to go the distance on any touch. I'd love to have Isaiah Mckenzie on the roster.

Originally posted by 9moon:

Originally posted by martysofresh:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by Papachon:
For sure the secondary they lead the league in PI penalties and most yards to PI penalties, we lost games because of that reason. We didn't give up big pass plays because we always got caught for that PI and that is huge in this league right now especially how almost every team is first pass offensive minded.

Didn't this get better as Mosely and Thomas settled into the CB's? I know it was bad at the beginning of the year when Norman and Lennoir were playing more.

I agree, but I think we still need another solid CB to solidify our ranks . Once guys went down, it got ugly very quick. Maybe like Desmond King. And bring back Varrett on the cheap.

both SS & FS must also be replaced.. Good tacklers, but clueless when the ball is in the air.

Yeah. I know Ward had some picks this year, but the secondary is far from being called "ball-hawking". I'd love to build through the draft, but I agree, getting top caliber talent seems to be low priority every year and seriously should be addressed when our division includes guys like Kupp, Lockett, Metcalf, Hopkins.

Originally posted by martysofresh:

Originally posted by 9moon:

Originally posted by martysofresh:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:

Originally posted by Papachon:
For sure the secondary they lead the league in PI penalties and most yards to PI penalties, we lost games because of that reason. We didn't give up big pass plays because we always got caught for that PI and that is huge in this league right now especially how almost every team is first pass offensive minded.

Didn't this get better as Mosely and Thomas settled into the CB's? I know it was bad at the beginning of the year when Norman and Lennoir were playing more.

I agree, but I think we still need another solid CB to solidify our ranks . Once guys went down, it got ugly very quick. Maybe like Desmond King. And bring back Varrett on the cheap.

both SS & FS must also be replaced.. Good tacklers, but clueless when the ball is in the air.

Yeah. I know Ward had some picks this year, but the secondary is far from being called "ball-hawking". I'd love to build through the draft, but I agree, getting top caliber talent seems to be low priority every year and seriously should be addressed when our division includes guys like Kupp, Lockett, Metcalf, Hopkins.

The Wonder Twins have gotten their chances, we've given them enough time and though they had their moments, MOMENTS just wont get it done..

Same thing it has been for years:
OL
CB