How do we fix this?

Draft another TE that can be a receiving threat. Kittle is being utilized as a blocker taking away from his huge ability to threaten downfield.
Suggestion would be taking JT Sanders TE from Texas in second round of draft. Woerner, Willis and Dwilley are not threats. Sanders can make a difference like LaPorta for Lions.

Originally posted by Wolf_Packer_53:

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
RG and RT.

Agreed, though I actually think Burford will be good, just had too many mental farts. Mcivitz has to go.

Thought we played a great game, injuries definitely disrupted us. Thought Kyle called a great game, loved the decision to go for it on 4th in the the 4th quarter.

The new OT rules cost us, think it's obvious that you let them go first and try to match, you get clarity when to go on 4th down.

Next year resign Aiyuk, draft a RT and come back swinging. Still think we're comfortably the best team in the NFC

I know we just lost another Super Bowl & the sky is falling but HOLY COW, you guys need to take a step back & relax. This right here is by far the most logical post I've seen. Shanahan was fine. He called the right plays, the players just didn't make the plays. It happens. CMC can't fumble to open up the game, Greenlaw goes down on a freak accident running out onto the field, Moody needs to figure out how to be consistent, McCloud needs to get on the ball or be louder on his call to the players to clear out, etc. Honestly it took a ton of luck to get to the Super Bowl, our luck just ran out at the very end, it is what it is. I just keep telling myself that all these L's will make #6 that much sweeter some day.

Calling a pass play with no hot receivers when everyone including Taylor Swift knows a sellout blitz is coming on the biggest 3rd down of the game is not calling the right plays.

Also he abandoned the run in the third and went no backfield what 15 times?

Shanahan has an obsession with making his QB the focus and it costs this team in big games.

I support Shanahan and don't want to see him fired. I have only one problem, and it's NOT the o-line. Those free blitzers are a scheme problem, not an o-line problem. They had no answer for free runners. They were outnumbered in protection all day, which means you have to have a hot answer for free runners. There was no hot answer.

I actually think it's not just talent but it's a scheme issue which is probably why Kyle's teams have been so bad in terms of playing from behind

Originally posted by audick:
I support Shanahan and don't want to see him fired. I have only one problem, and it's NOT the o-line. Those free blitzers are a scheme problem, not an o-line problem. They had no answer for free runners. They were outnumbered in protection all day, which means you have to have a hot answer for free runners. There was no hot answer.

Where was the screen plays or max protect near the goaline.

Originally posted by Team49ers:

Originally posted by audick:
I support Shanahan and don't want to see him fired. I have only one problem, and it's NOT the o-line. Those free blitzers are a scheme problem, not an o-line problem. They had no answer for free runners. They were outnumbered in protection all day, which means you have to have a hot answer for free runners. There was no hot answer.

Where was the screen plays or max protect near the goaline.

He gets lost in the fog of war and tosses out that part of his playbook in big gsames. It's consistently failing in the same manner that is most concerning about Kyle.

Stop playing the cornerbacks 10 yards off the receiver. No pass rush will get to the quarterback when receivers constantly get free releases.
Strengthen both sides of the line.
Teams have figured out the wide 9 defensive front.

Originally posted by audick:
I support Shanahan and don't want to see him fired. I have only one problem, and it's NOT the o-line. Those free blitzers are a scheme problem, not an o-line problem. They had no answer for free runners. They were outnumbered in protection all day, which means you have to have a hot answer for free runners. There was no hot answer.

Bingo. This isn't just a SF problem either…Spags does this vs every damn QB and often has good results.

The problem I see is we have quite a few more holes in our team than people realize. And this is due to the last few drafts where we have sucked for the most part.

-Everyone knows about our oline. That's 2-3 players needed alone there.
-We need a safety to replace Gipson. Unless are we planning to roll with Huff and Brown? That's not much speed in the back end.
-Need a CB.
-Still need another DE.
-Need a run stuffing DT.
-Need probably 2 LBs. All we have is Warner and Greenlaw. Our backups suck and now Greenlaw has a serious injury.
-Probably need to look at WR. We won't be able to afford to keep Jennings more than one year.
-Still need a TE to backup Kittle. Kittle is getting up there in age and is somewhat injury prone other than a healthy year this year.

Cut armstead, we need a big veteran DT run stuffer who can eat up double teams and won't be moved. Cut Mcivitz bring a solid veteran RT. Aiyuk and jennings likely leave in free agency, maybe stick with conley, and maybe a quick shifty slot WR. Bring in a big punishing RB to actually give cmc longer breaks, too many plays for cmc in the reg season. So it will be a change of pace at RB who is a big bruising RB. Cut thomas and bring in another DB. Start hufanga and brown at safety.

What sucks is trying to get back to the SB, because HEALTH is going to be a factor.

Originally posted by dhp318:
I actually think it's not just talent but it's a scheme issue which is probably why Kyle's teams have been so bad in terms of playing from behind

You mean a scheme that half the league wants to run and fighting over having a piece of?

As far as this game, people are over thinking it.

we literally had at the very least an 11 point swing based off CMC fumbling and STs f**k ups. That's the ball game.

Shanahan needs a self evaluation, because status quo isn't good enough.

Originally posted by bmvanthiel:
The problem I see is we have quite a few more holes in our team than people realize. And this is due to the last few drafts where we have sucked for the most part.

-Everyone knows about our oline. That's 2-3 players needed alone there.
-We need a safety to replace Gipson. Unless are planning to role with Huff and Brown? That's not much speed in the back end.
-Need a CB.
-Still need another DE.
-Need a run stuffing DT.
-Need probably 2 LBs. All we have is Warner and Greenlaw. Our backups suck and now Greenlaw has a serious injury.
-Probably need to look at WR. We won't be able to afford to keep Jennings more than one year.
-Still need a TE to backup Kittle. Kittle is getting up there in age and is somewhat injury prone other than a healthy year this year.

All of this bro. Need to hit on at least 2 quality starters and hopefully some depth.

Boy, it's not going to be easy. We got so lucky this season with a lack of injuries and some key bounces. But if we're going to at least keep the window open for one more year we need to:

- Draft several OL with our initial picks and sign a true, solid depth piece in FA. If Shanahan won't let the rookies play, you go out and use your cap space to sign a good stopgap.

- Relatedly, no reaches in this year's draft. No projects or guys you hope can one day turn a corner (like Latu), and we can't be wasting picks on 3rd round RBs. Mitchell and Mason are good enough to backup CMC.

- Extend BA, which will lower his cap hit for this season and free up cash.

- Let Chase walk and regain a 3rd round pick as comp.

- Acquire another bookend for Bosa. Jackson isn't going to be the answer. Another whiff.

- Find a 3rd corner. Can't rely on Ambry.

- Draft a fast WR who can actually run routes. Gray has been a miss. What this team needs is someone who is at least a legitimate threat to take the top off.

- Draft a late round, run-stuffing DT. And if DJ Jones becomes a cap casualty in Denver, you nab him.

That's a lot, but it can be done. The problem for this team is time. Our core (outside of Purdy) is getting old. I'm especially worried about CMC, who is likely to start slowing down next season given his immense workload. If Purdy ends up becoming the next great QB, then that changes everything, but I suspect he'll be a fringe top 10 guy. Just my two cents.