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Gameday Week 15: 49ers vs Dolphins
The postseason is a year away. Win or lose the only thing they're playing for today is pride. Another opportunity to advertise your wo...
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Dominick Puni ranks second among all guards in Sports Info Solutions' points earned metric. He hasn't allowed a sack and has just si...
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The stench of the last game is still in my nostrils. Will the 49ers clear the air? Not if they don't start making tackles. Not if they...
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Hello everyone and welcome to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. The red hot Packers come into Levi's stadium with a 4 game winn...
Looks beautiful. It's winter here, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteHey, Scooter. What's it like there in the winter?
DeleteTbh winter here (in Brisbane) is usually pretty darn nice. During the day temperatures of low to mid 20s (in celsius - around 70 - 80 Fahrenheit), and at night it may get down to the high single digits occasionally, (40 - 50 Fahrenheit) but usually low teens. But for us Queenslanders that is cold! And it is usually dry.
DeleteWe've had a bit of a cold snap atm (though still nothing below mid single digits overnight and high teens during the day), and some areas of Australia have had some pretty wild weather, so haven't been getting out too much recently. The southern areas of Australia have been getting the worst of it though - been a fair amount of snow and storms.
Our coldest/ windiest season in Brisbane is usually in late July/ August, and our rainy season is summer with the tropical storms.
I didn't realize it could get cold enough to even snow there.
DeleteI loved Brisbane when I went there on my Honeymoon. My Best friend from College and his wife live in Melbourne....took a road trip from Melbourne to Sydney, then flew to Brisbane..drove to Gold coast....then took a charter plane from Hervey Bay to Lady Elliot Island...which is the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef. My wife loved it! It was absolutely stunning....Wonderful country!
DeleteIt's a surprisingly large country tbh razor - the southern parts of Australia are the gateway to the Antarctic - lots of Antarctic missions sail from Tasmania.
DeleteI'm in the sub-tropics though, in Brisbane.
Mugeek, glad you enjoyed your time here!
It's my hope one day to pay you a visit with the fam.
DeleteGrant has a brief article on injuries and training staff. I agree with him that it's time to turnover that staff. Taking trainers from teams that have low injury "rates" seems like a good step. Every year we cross our fingers that the injury bug will finally abate; yet it's been getting worse. Maybe the injury rate for the 49ers isn't governed only by statistical analysis. Maybe more competent training staff might help to reduce these injuries. I can't see how it would hurt to give it a try given that the 49ers have typically been at the top of the injury rate chart for a number of years now.
ReplyDeleteGrant likes starting fires and this is typical writing for him.
ReplyDeleteHe suggested that the 49ers hire the Rams training staff because they’ve had the smallest amount of injuries.
Sure, problem solved! Sheesh.
Injuries happen in football whether stretching, running, lifting weights or getting up from a chair. And this is before players actually start the season.
Some players are injury prone. Some players don’t follow a consistent training regiment in the off-season. There are players that use training camp as preparation for this season and fold under the rigors of OTA/TC.
And yes, Shanahan may have to tone things down during these events.
But to put the entire blame on the training staff as Cohn suggests, is ludicrous at best.
Last year we lost Bosa and the following week lost Reed playing on the lousy NY stadium field. We also lost Kittle when he took a massive hit from Budda Baker on a high pass. No one could blame the training staff for this.
Injuries can happen for a variety of reasons, taking GC’ finger pointing (some things don’t change) theory that it’s on the training staff is misdirected - at least for me.
When it's happening over and over and over again, any prudent business would try to take steps and not just stick their heads in the sand. Yes, of course, their are injuries that can't be prevented and bad luck does play a part. But I still firmly believe that many non-contact injuries can be prevented. I don't expect that a change in staff will make the 49ers the least injured team in the league.
DeleteThese injuries have a major impact on the team's performance during a season; this isn't a mere annoyance.
If they make the change and there's still no improvement - then, imo, it is what it is and they will have to focus on bringing in players that are not injury prone even if skill level suffers. The old adage the best ability is availability still rings true in my book.
“These injuries have a major impact on the team's performance during a season; this isn't a mere annoyance."
DeleteI agree with your comments Cubus. My thoughts are that all 49ers injuries should not be solely placed on the 49ers training staff which was the crux of GC’ narrative.
The injured players that I mentioned were a response to debunk Cohn’ comments. Not all injuries fall on the training staff.
I also agree in part with drafting players who have no history of injuries, but if that becomes the team’s standard you run the risk of missing out on a player like Frank Gore who required surgery on both knees in college.
There will always be injuries in a full contact sport.
AES: Your comments are logical and practical. At the same time the status quo just won't cut it. Already there are several non-contact injuries that have taken their toll. It's not looking like anything will change this year, so let's see what happens. It is also possible, that KS bears a lot of the blame for pushing players too hard at times, not making sure they are properly warmed up, etc. I'm not saying it's an easy thing to fix as there are multiple moving parts, but I think they have to start somewhere.
DeleteCubus,
DeleteI agree that they have to start somewhere. I also have to believe that they are looking to take serious measures to avoid a repeat of 2020.
The problem with the way Grant Cohn presents his analysis, is that he's far too to draw concrete conclusions. In a world of many shades of grey, Grant Cohn sees only black and white. This has always been his biggest flaw as a sports "journalist", IMO.
DeleteUnfortunately, I don't thing there is a simple answer to solving this chronic injury issue, for the Niners. I think there are likely multiple factors in okay here, but I do think that ShanaLynch need to make some changes. While this issue spans multiple coaching regimes, and training staffs, it's hard for me to believe that it's all simply bad luck, because the law of averages suggests there is more going on than "bad luck". I think the more likely explanation is at least partially due to over-training, combined with a lack of proper recovery.
49,
DeleteMaybe someone could help me with this. Doesn’t every team follow an NFL and NFLPA guidelines on practice schedules and limits on practices?
GOOD TO HEAR
ReplyDeleteGolden Nuggets: McGlinchey has put on 15 pounds this offseason to get stronger.
https://sports.yahoo.com/m/3fd40172-d3f8-3bbb-9837-17a451af4a3d/golden-nuggets%3A-mcglinchey.html
What all do you think are realistic expectations for this team?
ReplyDeleteFor me it will be tough, but they should shoot for winning the division and a game or 2 in the playoffs.
I am less worried about the qb, or anything on offense really than the national media. In fact for this team to reach it's peak the offense must carry this team.
My concern is that they don't have the depth to be SB Contenders; but they could beat a team or 2 in the playoffs. The biggest issue I see with this team is that they are neither elite at rushing the passer or in coverage... and in both cases they are one injury away from being below average in those areas.
Pretty much agree except for the return of our elite pass rusher, Nick Bosa.
DeleteShoup, I'd say that the secondary might be better than last year with the subtraction of Sherman and the addition of Thomas. I think the pass rush might be better too with the additions of Ebukam, Hurst, and Key, the maturation of Kinlaw and Givens, and the return of Bosa. Also the offense might be much better, with the additions of Mack, Banks, and Sermon. But none of this is proven, so contending for the SB, I agree with you. Have to get through Tampa and KC or Buffalo. Tough number.
DeleteShoup
DeleteI would agree with George, with one addition.
That JG and the team avoids all the 2020 injuries.
Shoup, 2020 Niners D was ranked 4th against the pass, 7th against the rush https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/opp.htm I don't think that was entirely due to Saleh. Any improvement of the areas George mentions would put them squarely as a top 5 defense, definitely capable of a SB run against anyone.
DeleteThanks for the feedback guys... but I was curious as to what you really think their expectations should be?
DeleteI wasn't trying to bash the defense. I think it has improved from last year I just think they are 1 injury away from having a major falloff.
Additionally, while I note Rib's points, and they are valid... I think it's easy to draw incorrect conclusions from the data. Normally a team that is top 10 against the pass and run is not below average in points allowed nor do they have bottom 5 pressure rates. On the plus side... they were good on 3rd downs. Those are promising signs as Bosa being back should massively improve the pass rush.
As to Ebukam, I don't think much of him as a pass rusher. LA pulled him off the field on passing downs for a reason.
I meant to ask why you think Ebukam can suddenly become a decent pass rusher?
DeleteShoup, one word; Kocurek.
DeleteShoup, your question about Ebukam is a good one. What I can see about him is on his youtube highlights and, admittedly, as I recall there's little if anything about him rushing from the edge. So now it's based on his work effort and athletic abilities, in other words, hope.
DeleteShoup
Delete"As to Ebukam, I don't think much of him as a pass rusher. LA pulled him off the field on passing downs for a reason."
EXCEPT YOU OVERLOOK THE OBVIOUS:
Ebukam was miscast with the Rams as an OLB In a 3-4 D scheme. That role didn't allow him to take advantage of his combination of size and athleticism. A 4-3 DE role as a 9er could allow him to make a significant leap from his career high of 4.5 sacks. We should all know if that's the case, within the first few games of the 2021 season.
But there's also the outside chance Dee Ford will be healthy enough to take snaps away from Ebukam?
David Lombardi video today on Jordan Willis and the dline:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxrEbmXoF-Y&t=14s
Thanks, George. My first time listening to Lombardi. Good stuff.
DeleteYou're welcome, cubus. Posting another from today below. He has a youtube channel btw. This one was from his Twitter feed.
DeleteMatt Barrows / David Lombardi video today about Trey Lance. What an arm!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr6ANWG9_Sk&t=1s
Yeah, he's got an absolute cannon. Ball really gets there quick. That aspect is very Josh Allen like.
DeleteHe throws that distance so effortlessly and, apparently, on the dime. Totally amazed by that.
DeleteWould you two classify him as having a power arm?
DeleteDefinitely.
DeleteI would agree with Scooter but NFL.com
Deletestated
"Tape shows very average arm strength but velocity should improve with better lower-body drive. "
The hard part is where do you rank his arm in terms of other NFL Qb's.
It's probably not at the Josh Allen, Mahomes, Herbert or Stafford level... but could be at the Rodgers, Wentz or Murray level.
*Note** Rodgers real talent IMO is more in line with his ability to generate/maintain power with throws off platform or through a variety of arm slots.
Here's his Twitter feed:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/LombardiHimself
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI just checked both overthecap.com and spotrac.com and both list the 49ers with around $17 million in cap space for 2021 with 91 players signed.
ReplyDeleteBut a recent article on signing edge rushers, which I can't specifically remember (maybe it was the Lombardi video), listed the cap space at under $5 million. Why such a disparity. If the team still has $17 million in cap space, it seems like they should be able to sign Houston or Ingram.
Cubus, the discrepancy comes due to (a) the rookies yet to sign, including Trey, and (b) currently salary cap is based on top 51 contracts, but once its gets to in-season it will be the 53 + PS + IR. That is why Lombardi has a different figure than Spotrac and OTC.
DeleteThanks, Scooter. I forgot about some of the rookies having not yet signed.
DeleteOn Ebukam, here's a Jack Hammer article on him from last week:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/why-samson-ebukam-holds-the-key-to-the-49ers-pass-rush
Cardinals 1st rounder just got arrested for reckless driving.
ReplyDeleteFrank Clark arrested for driving around with an Uzi. Crazy.
DeleteLmao!
DeleteGeorge
DeleteAnd the best part is...Kansas City Chiefs DE Frank Clark was arrested for possession of an illegal firearm in Los Angeles on Sunday, a felony charge. According to police records, Clark was also arrested three months prior in Los Angeles on March 13 on similar firearms charges. He also posted a $35,000 bond back then as he did on Monday.
Frank Clark was kicked off the Michigan football team for domestic violence (he beat up his girlfriend Diamond Hurt, during an incident at a hotel in Sandusky, Ohio),
Thanks, GEEP. Sounds like a wack job.
DeleteAre you from Michigan, btw?
George
Delete"Are you from Michigan, btw?"
Nope! From San Diego George, but now live & work in Silicon valley. Learned Clark was kicked off the Michigan team when he played for the Seahawks.
QUESTION:
ReplyDeleteWho was Tom Brady referring to with his “motherf–ker” remark?
* Does anyone believe he was talking about the 9ers and JG?
https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-referring-motherf-ker-152602943.html
Jack Hammer today on what to expect from Kinlaw:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/realistic-expectations-for-49ers-dt-javon-kinlaw-in-year-2