Thinking Positive: How we keep our Super Bowl Window Open Long-term

Guys.. it's a massive understatement to say it's hard to even write this.. because I'm sickened and heartbroken beyond belief. I emotionally invest myself every year 110% -- sometimes I wish I could not.. But I love this team with my heart and soul and it's been that way since I was a child.

This one hurts the most because it felt like our best chance we've had in decades. I barely slept last night and I feel like sh** this morning..

That said.. I can't wallow or it's going to make everything feel so much worse. The only way I'm going to feel any better in the short term is force myself to think as positively as possible so I can reclaim some sense of hope and optimism, and stay worthy of the term "49er faithful".

PRIORITIES IF I'M GM:

1. GET BETTER PROTECTION FOR PURDY
He made some insane plays with no time and/or while running for his life. He shouldn't have to be doing that all game. We had 2-3 potential touchdowns missed because he had no time to throw.

2. UPGRADE OUR DEPTH EVERYWHERE
The drop-off when a guy like Trent, Deebo, Greenlaw, Hufanga, Kittle, etc go out is super noticeable in key moments. While you can't expect to easily replicate them, you can limit the drop-off some. We can do better at corner than Thomas/Oliver. We can do better at linebacker than Burks, DFF, and Winters. We can do better at a lot of areas.


3. DON'T BLOW EVERYTHING UP, STAY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE:
* We have a star quarterback who should be entering their prime in these next few years
* If we draft well to fortify our secondary, replace our aging IDL, and protect Purdy, we will be a force still on both sides of the ball
* Young guys like Jayir Brown, Jake Moody, Robert Beal, and maybe even Kinlaw if he returns, should be improved next year and offer greater contribution, and Hufanga will return from injury.
* Regardless of roster turnover, this should remain a perennial playoff team, that gives us a chance every year.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Guys.. it's a massive understatement to say it's hard to even write this.. because I'm sickened and heartbroken beyond belief. I emotionally invest myself every year 110% -- sometimes I wish I could not.. But I love this team with my heart and soul and it's been that way since I was a child.

This one hurts the most because it felt like our best chance we've had in decades. I barely slept last night and I feel like sh** this morning..

That said.. I can't wallow or it's going to make everything feel so much worse. The only way I'm going to feel any better in the short term is force myself to think as positively as possible so I can reclaim some sense of hope and optimism, and stay worthy of the term "49er faithful".

PRIORITIES IF I'M GM:

1. GET BETTER PROTECTION FOR PURDY
He made some insane plays with no time and/or while running for his life. He shouldn't have to be doing that all game. We had 2-3 potential touchdowns missed because he had no time to throw.

2. UPGRADE OUR DEPTH EVERYWHERE
The drop-off when a guy like Trent, Deebo, Greenlaw, Hufanga, Kittle, etc go out is super noticeable in key moments. While you can't expect to easily replicate them, you can limit the drop-off some. We can do better at corner than Thomas/Oliver. We can do better at linebacker than Burks, DFF, and Winters. We can do better at a lot of areas.


3. DON'T BLOW EVERYTHING UP, STAY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE:
* We have a star quarterback who should be entering their prime in these next few years
* If we draft well to fortify our secondary, replace our aging IDL, and protect Purdy, we will be a force still on both sides of the ball
* Young guys like Jayir Brown, Jake Moody, Robert Beal, and maybe even Kinlaw if he returns, should be improved next year and offer greater contribution, and Hufanga will return from injury.
* Regardless of roster turnover, this should remain a perennial playoff team, that gives us a chance every year.

Agree. However, CMC trade + Lance trade up + edge case picks (e.g., Latu, Price) contributed to our lack of depth. Now we have aging high priced vets with a QB that's primed for a huge contract in 2025+. This is a critical offseason.

We have one more year with this core, but I won't be surprised if Kittle, Armstead, and Samuel aren't on the team in 2025. We need to start developing the next gen of players.

The answer is too simple but also not that easy to do

HIT ON DRAFT PICKS

Thats it. If you keep on missing draft picks, you won't be able to sustain the "window". This is a salary cap league. You need these young guys who make peanuts and are good.

Purdy was such a pick that extended the window, because we aren't in the SB if Trey or Jimmy are our qbs.

Have to hit on draft picks and not be afraid to develop/start them if needed.

Honestly, does this team need Kittle? I feel like makes a lot for not contributing in the passing game as much as he should. His blocking is great but the niners can't find someone else who can block not making 15 mil? I'd rather them invest in a RT with that money

Originally posted by socalfan21:
Honestly, does this team need Kittle? I feel like makes a lot for not contributing in the passing game as much as he should. His blocking is great but the niners can't find someone else who can block not making 15 mil? I'd rather them invest in a RT with that money

I don't want to assert who we need and don't need, but George Kittle will be 31 years old next season. 49ers should be trying to infuse some young talent at that position with receiving upside and not just a designated blocker.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by socalfan21:
Honestly, does this team need Kittle? I feel like makes a lot for not contributing in the passing game as much as he should. His blocking is great but the niners can't find someone else who can block not making 15 mil? I'd rather them invest in a RT with that money

I don't want to assert who we need and don't need, but George Kittle will be 31 years old next season. 49ers should be trying to infuse some young talent at that position with receiving upside and not just a designated blocker.

Kittle was forced to become a blocker in the playoffs because Kyle has neglected the Oline, he was a 1,000 yard receiver this year when he was actually allowed to eat.

Because Brock's pay point is low for the next couple of years, I expect us to be in the hunt. We have to continue to build the next core group of players but can also afford to sign some big names like a starting caliber guard, a nickel corner, Chase Young, etc.

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by socalfan21:
Honestly, does this team need Kittle? I feel like makes a lot for not contributing in the passing game as much as he should. His blocking is great but the niners can't find someone else who can block not making 15 mil? I'd rather them invest in a RT with that money

I don't want to assert who we need and don't need, but George Kittle will be 31 years old next season. 49ers should be trying to infuse some young talent at that position with receiving upside and not just a designated blocker.

Kittle was forced to become a blocker in the playoffs because Kyle has neglected the Oline, he was a 1,000 yard receiver this year when he was actually allowed to eat.

This

Originally posted by father49er:
Because Brock's pay point is low for the next couple of years, I expect us to be in the hunt. We have to continue to build the next core group of players but can also afford to sign some big names like a starting caliber guard, a nickel corner, Chase Young, etc.

couple of years ? Purdy's last year being paid peanuts is next year.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by socalfan21:

Honestly, does this team need Kittle? I feel like makes a lot for not contributing in the passing game as much as he should. His blocking is great but the niners can't find someone else who can block not making 15 mil? I'd rather them invest in a RT with that money

I don't want to assert who we need and don't need, but George Kittle will be 31 years old next season. 49ers should be trying to infuse some young talent at that position with receiving upside and not just a designated blocker.

Kittle was forced to become a blocker in the playoffs because Kyle has neglected the Oline, he was a 1,000 yard receiver this year when he was actually allowed to eat.

This

Personally, I'd fire Chris Foerester. I think his eye for talent is absolute garbage. He may be a decent coach, but has Burford, Banks, and McKivitz really improved? NO. They all got worse (cause I mean, as Kyle says, you're either getting better or worse, no one stays the same).

Brendel is serviceable but FFS, fix OG and RT. We have every weapon imaginable on offense but it doesn't matter if we don't have time to get them the ball.

i think the depth on the Dline was a killer. Our line had Pat running for his life up until midway through the 3rd but the lack of depth kept slowing us down. We had 6 useable linemen (Arik, Hargrave & Kinlaw inside w/ Bosa, Gregory & Young outside). had we been able to rotate a little more, the pressure does not utterly collapse and make life easy for pat.

part of me wonders if we would not have been better off using Hargrave's money to keep ebukam & Omenihu and get a lesser DT who was good vs the run

We need to go all in next season because we have to pay Brock after. Address O line in a big way. Add a dominant pass rusher via trade or 1 year deal, add a huge NT/DT and maybe Derrick Henry to have a change up and split carriers

Originally posted by GEEK:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Guys.. it's a massive understatement to say it's hard to even write this.. because I'm sickened and heartbroken beyond belief. I emotionally invest myself every year 110% -- sometimes I wish I could not.. But I love this team with my heart and soul and it's been that way since I was a child.

This one hurts the most because it felt like our best chance we've had in decades. I barely slept last night and I feel like sh** this morning..

That said.. I can't wallow or it's going to make everything feel so much worse. The only way I'm going to feel any better in the short term is force myself to think as positively as possible so I can reclaim some sense of hope and optimism, and stay worthy of the term "49er faithful".

PRIORITIES IF I'M GM:

1. GET BETTER PROTECTION FOR PURDY
He made some insane plays with no time and/or while running for his life. He shouldn't have to be doing that all game. We had 2-3 potential touchdowns missed because he had no time to throw.

2. UPGRADE OUR DEPTH EVERYWHERE
The drop-off when a guy like Trent, Deebo, Greenlaw, Hufanga, Kittle, etc go out is super noticeable in key moments. While you can't expect to easily replicate them, you can limit the drop-off some. We can do better at corner than Thomas/Oliver. We can do better at linebacker than Burks, DFF, and Winters. We can do better at a lot of areas.

3. DON'T BLOW EVERYTHING UP, STAY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE:
* We have a star quarterback who should be entering their prime in these next few years
* If we draft well to fortify our secondary, replace our aging IDL, and protect Purdy, we will be a force still on both sides of the ball
* Young guys like Jayir Brown, Jake Moody, Robert Beal, and maybe even Kinlaw if he returns, should be improved next year and offer greater contribution, and Hufanga will return from injury.
* Regardless of roster turnover, this should remain a perennial playoff team, that gives us a chance every year.

Agree. However, CMC trade + Lance trade up + edge case picks (e.g., Latu, Price) contributed to our lack of depth. Now we have aging high priced vets with a QB that's primed for a huge contract in 2025+. This is a critical offseason.

We have one more year with this core, but I won't be surprised if Kittle, Armstead, and Samuel aren't on the team in 2025. We need to start developing the next gen of players.

Agreed. We need to draft guys who can contribute next season and not 3 years down the road

Originally posted by lamontb:

Originally posted by GEEK:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Guys.. it's a massive understatement to say it's hard to even write this.. because I'm sickened and heartbroken beyond belief. I emotionally invest myself every year 110% -- sometimes I wish I could not.. But I love this team with my heart and soul and it's been that way since I was a child.

This one hurts the most because it felt like our best chance we've had in decades. I barely slept last night and I feel like sh** this morning..

That said.. I can't wallow or it's going to make everything feel so much worse. The only way I'm going to feel any better in the short term is force myself to think as positively as possible so I can reclaim some sense of hope and optimism, and stay worthy of the term "49er faithful".

PRIORITIES IF I'M GM:

1. GET BETTER PROTECTION FOR PURDY
He made some insane plays with no time and/or while running for his life. He shouldn't have to be doing that all game. We had 2-3 potential touchdowns missed because he had no time to throw.

2. UPGRADE OUR DEPTH EVERYWHERE
The drop-off when a guy like Trent, Deebo, Greenlaw, Hufanga, Kittle, etc go out is super noticeable in key moments. While you can't expect to easily replicate them, you can limit the drop-off some. We can do better at corner than Thomas/Oliver. We can do better at linebacker than Burks, DFF, and Winters. We can do better at a lot of areas.

3. DON'T BLOW EVERYTHING UP, STAY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE:
* We have a star quarterback who should be entering their prime in these next few years
* If we draft well to fortify our secondary, replace our aging IDL, and protect Purdy, we will be a force still on both sides of the ball
* Young guys like Jayir Brown, Jake Moody, Robert Beal, and maybe even Kinlaw if he returns, should be improved next year and offer greater contribution, and Hufanga will return from injury.
* Regardless of roster turnover, this should remain a perennial playoff team, that gives us a chance every year.

Agree. However, CMC trade + Lance trade up + edge case picks (e.g., Latu, Price) contributed to our lack of depth. Now we have aging high priced vets with a QB that's primed for a huge contract in 2025+. This is a critical offseason.

We have one more year with this core, but I won't be surprised if Kittle, Armstead, and Samuel aren't on the team in 2025. We need to start developing the next gen of players.

Agreed. We need to draft guys who can contribute next season and not 3 years down the road

We need a plug-and-play start at OG period. McKivitz should be relegated to swing OT if they really hate Moore that much (TBH I think he'd better than McKivitz and should have started over him, based on what we saw of him at LT in spot duty).

Originally posted by mtl_49er:
i think the depth on the Dline was a killer. Our line had Pat running for his life up until midway through the 3rd but the lack of depth kept slowing us down. We had 6 useable linemen (Arik, Hargrave & Kinlaw inside w/ Bosa, Gregory & Young outside). had we been able to rotate a little more, the pressure does not utterly collapse and make life easy for pat.

part of me wonders if we would not have been better off using Hargrave's money to keep ebukam & Omenihu and get a lesser DT who was good vs the run

Well tbf they were gassed when the offense basically did nothing in the 3rd quarter. Add losing Dre Greenlaw to the mix as well.