That's today's poll question. The defensive line group is so strong that one or two really good players will get signed by either the Seahawks or another team just as soon as they're released. The offensive line group isn't as strong, particularly at RG. The secondary could be considered thin as well, particularly if Verrett, who has a history of injury problems, goes down. Should we trade Street and/or Kerr for an OG or CB?
I would have rather they pulled off a trade earlier. Weeks ago, when they realized they needed help at OT, is the time they should have made a trade for a guy who could perhaps come in compete for the Swing Tackle position, rather than using Jaylon Moore at OT. Moore doesn't look like a OT, he isn't built like an OT, and he doesn't move like an OT. They should have stuck with the plan at moving him inside to OG, rather than expecting him to develop at a position that doesn't fit his NFL skill set, despite the fact that he played OT in college.
ReplyDeleteI'm not as concerned about CB as you are. I feel like fielding one of the top front 7's in the league, will help the secondary, just as it did in 2019. The best thing you can do to help out a secondary is pressure the opposing QB. Once you start watering down your DL, it can be counterproductive.
Besides, these stout DT's that aren't necessarily guys that are considered pass rushers, are probably not going to get you a starting, plug-and-play OG or OT in return, and same goes for CB, which is just as tough to find starting caliber players that teams are willing to trade away for rotational DL's.
On a different note: My guy Eric Crocker is yet another smart football mind who doesn't agree with the way Kyle has used Trey during this preseason. Just saying.
I mentioned on another blog that, after Jimmy's below average performances during joint practice and the second preseason game, the QB situation for the 49ers seems unsettled. And then I heard Steve Youngs comments about starting Trey Lance, and I think all things considered, the 49ers have a full blown QB controversy on their hands, IMO. Well, let me re-phrase that - the Niners are now one bad, Jimmy Garoppolo regular season game performance, away from having a classic, full blown QB controversy on their hands, IMO.
ReplyDeleteThis was always going to be a risky transition for Kyle to navigate, considering the amount of draft capitol they gave up for Trey Lance, and the way in which Trey Lance opens up Kyle's playbook compared to Jimmy G. But Jimmy hasn't made the decision any easier for Kyle.
And in case you guys missed it, Steve Young just poured fuel on the fire with his comments about Kyle embracing Trey Lance as the starter, and basically letting Trey be Trey, and allowing him to do his thing as he develops.
If the 9ers have a DT they know won't make the 53 and there
ReplyDeleteis a team willing to trade an OG to the 9ers, for a DT, that can help both teams improve, especially the 9ers OG position, then it's a no brainer...YOU MAKE THE TRADE. I say it's a no brainer, because the season rides on keeping both QB's healthy and giving them the time to do their job. And that, as we all know, is the job of the O-Line...To keep
the QB upright!
IN OTHER NEWS: I'm encouraged to see Lance use his eyes to move defensive players, as he did on both his TD throws. But
he still need to trust his eyes and improve his mechanics to prevent throwing INT's.
GEEP, is there a particular DT on the Niners' roster, who you think is unlikely to make the 53, but would get them a starting caliber OG in return? I'm not so sure.
DeleteBut I do agree with you that, if they can find a team that is willing to trade a plug-and-play OG for a DT who is likely to be cut, then of course they should do it. THAT SEEMS LIKE A NO BRAINER TO ME! The problem is ... I just don't think they are going to find a team who is willing to do that. DT isn't considered a premium position, even if they are extremely stout run defenders. Unless it's a DT who can get to the QB consistently, those guys generally don't offer enough value to get a starting caliber OG in return, IMO. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's been my experience from what I've seen over the years. The Niners are extremely deep at DT, that's for sure, but is there really a DT at the bottom of their depth chart who is going to garner a quality OG, let alone a quality OT?
BTW, Mo Hurst is already on the shelf with a high ankle sprain. I don't know how severe it is, but those have a tendency to linger on throughout a season.
They were able to get Laken Tomlinson in return for a 5th round pick, right before the start of the 2017 season, but he wasn't very good during that first season with the team, in fact the Niners declined to pick up his 5th year option. He's improved a lot ever since then though.
I do think they might need to do whatever it takes to improve at OG. I just don't know if they can make it happen without trading a future draft pick, or one of their better players.
DeleteTake Zach Kerr for instance. Kerr looked fantastic Sunday Night, but he's on his 5th team in 5 years, so does he really present enough value in a trader to upgrade the interior of the OL? I highly doubt it.
49Reasons
Delete"GEEP, is there a particular DT on the Niners' roster, who you think is unlikely to make the 53, but would get them a starting caliber OG in return?"
If the 9ers only keep 9 D linemen, I'd say Kentavius Street. However, I think the 9ers will keep 10 and Street will make the 53.
Possible trade candidate the 9er FO could attempt to trade for: OG Xavier Su'a-Filo.
Scouting Report: SCOUTING REPORT
A powerhouse in the run-blocking game. Gets superb drive off the snap and will manhandle opponents while opening running lanes. Has the quickness and the athleticism to pull effectively, and finishes his run-blocks. Able to play guard or tackle and he's Good ZBS fit NEGATIVES: Too often gets caught off-balance and lunging, especially in pass protection assignments. Sometimes is too aggressive when he should be staying low and mirroring, and can seem stiff at times.
Why he should be available: Su'a-Filo was signed last offseason with the Bengals, to be in the mix for a starting guard spot. But with the midseason pick-up of Quinton Spain, who appeared to end the offseason with the inside track at left guard, Su'a-Filo is at risk of not making the roster. It's also possible Su'a-Filo could be a cap casualty, as he represents $2.4 million in cap savings for the Bengals.
Another option is KC OG Andrew Wylie.
Why he could be cut or traded: Wylie started 35 games for the Chiefs over the past three seasons, but the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Trey Smith and the return of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif after opting out leaves Wylie vulnerable. Thuney will start at left guard, and a battle is brewing on the right side between Smith and Duvernay-Tardif. Wiley's best hope is to claim a backup spot.
Good stuff GEEP, maybe one or two of those guys would be an upgrade at Guard. Like I said, I think they might have to bite the bullet and make a trade, even if it means trading away a player who might otherwise make their 53. I am concerned about the interior of this OL, and I also feel like the OL needs to be more of a priority for ShanaLynch than it seems like it has been.
DeleteIMO, TWO ROOKIE DB'S THAT HAVE EARNED A SPOT ON THE 53:
ReplyDelete* S Talanoa Hufanga and CB Deommodore Lenoir
* Two O-Linemen I'd like to see play against the Raiders.
* Jaylon Moore: Due to injuries, he's been playing LT, but his future is playing OG.
* Colton McKivitz: Also listed as an OT, but will likely be moved inside, to OG.
I agree, Hufanga and Lenior look like very promising players. In fact Hufanga may replace Tavon Wilson as the starting SS at some point during the season.
DeleteI too like Jaylon Moore's potential at OG, which is why I hated that they plugged him in at OT. I know that it's disappointing that Aaron Banks hasn't stepped up, but I also think that Moore could have solidified the interior of the OL, which was the original plan for him when they drafted him. Now they have questions in terms of depth at both OT and OG, and I'm not sure Brunskill should even be starting at RG, if I'm being honest, so they've created a bit of a mess along the OL, IMO.
49Reasons
DeleteThere is a glimmer of hope for Brunskill...Not that it's saying much, but he didn't get knocked on his backside against the Chargers and was not responsible for a QB sack. Is that considered "PROGRESS?"
Moore however, has no future playing OT and why I'd
like to see him get some reps at RG against the Raiders.
I am not overreacting to preseason games, either. I don't put a ton of stock into the preseason. Too many times over the years I've seen teams or individual players look good during the preseason, and then look completely the opposite as soon as the regular season kicks off.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with Jimmy is that he looks exactly like the same, regressed QB he has been since he injured his knee. I was originally excited to see that Jimmy had finally ditched the knee brace, thinking that this was the sign of a newfound confidence for Jimmy G, but according to all of my trusted sources, he still looks the same QB he has been since he injured his knee. A QB lacking in confidence, skittish in the pocket, and he continues to shuffle his feet as if he's trying-out for a role in the movie Happy Feet. Jimmy has never really learned to manipulate the LB's and safeties with his eyes, so he's still telegraphing a lot of his throws, so that, combined with the fact that he still seems to completely lose track of where the LB's are at least once or twice a game, and unless a WR is absolutely wide open, he won't push the football down the field.
It's just so damn frustrating for me.
I sure hope I'm wrong and when the regular season rolls around, Jimmy will get it sorted out. I'm sure hoping he settles his feet down and quits throwing off of his back foot. Most of all, I hope Jimmy regains that killer instinct we saw from him early on, and starts playing with a little more of that competitive aggression. I want to see a confident, aggressive Jimmy G, making the defense pay for crowding the short to intermediate portions of the football field.
However, IF Jimmy is just not that guy anymore, it's time for Kyle to embrace Trey Lance, and expand the parts of his playbook that take advantage of Lance's strengths. The Niners can make the postseason on the back of the Niners' VAUNTED defense, and Trey's ability to boost Kyle's rushing attack, as well as using play-action to push the ball down the field. However, that does require Kyle to fully embrace his young QB's legs. If he does this, the Niners can lead the league in rushing, and Kyle can impose his team's will by running the football down his opponents throats. An offense predicated on ball control should also benefit their defense, and it's already a championship caliber defense, so that's a formula that can make a very deep postseason run, and if Trey develops his pocket passing as tghe season progresses, they can become the first team to win a Super Bowl with a rookie QB, IMO!