I think we can all agree that everything begins and ends with the quarterback position, both on the field and off it. Herein lies the problem and it's not the same drivel we've been hearing from the Jimmy G detractors. He's really good and not good enough at the exact same time. Lets take a gander at four separate decisions the 49ers made regarding Jimmy Garoppolo. #1. The trade. When he became available and they made the move to acquire him. #2. The commitment they made by signing him to a new deal. #3. The decision to draft his replacement. #4. The decision to start Jimmy G this year. Every one of these decisions involved deciding whether he was going to be good enough or not good enough. If you extrapolate each decision with the information available at the time, every one of them can be justified. At the same time, every one of them has seemingly handcuffed the organization. Jimmy G showed the promise for decision #1. His play confirmed decision #2. His health and the realization you can win with him, but not really because of him gave us decision #3. His locker room leadership and attitude towards the trade precipitated decision #4. In this league, you need a quarterback that is top 5 or the potential to be top 5 in fairly short order OR you want one in the bottom 5, which makes these decisions very simple. When these decisions are a toss up because they are so close, you end up being right 50% of the time, and wrong 50% of the time. Winning focuses on the decisions that were good, losing highlights the ones that were bad. This is the "Catch #10" the franchise finds itself, and I believe what we're seeing this year has been a direct result of this situation and it has filtered down throughout the entire roster.
I'm not exactly sure what the solution is right now, but maybe our esteemed commentators have one.
What needs to be done imo is giving the reigns to Trey this week or next week and keep Jimmy G as backup(and some mop up duty) and putting him in if Trey folds what i dont believe.
ReplyDeleteIts about valuable live reps for Trey.
Catch #10? If this is a play between Catch 22 and Jimmy's jersey number, it's very clever! In fact, I don't know who wrote this one, but I really do like the premise of this article.
ReplyDeleteOf all of the poor decisions that ShanaLynch have made, it's the mismanagement of the QB position that has really had the biggest impact, and unfortunately it has really come to a head now, midway through this regime's 5th season at the helm.
For people who believe in the concept of the Butterfly Effect, ShanaLynch's decision to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo at the tail end of their first season, set in motion the series of events you've cleverly outlined above. And BTW, if Kyle had been able to acquire Cousins instead of Jimmy G, the results would likely have been identical.
In their defense, I do think Jimmy Garoppolo had more potential in 2017, than he has ultimately realized since then, probably due in some part to his 2018 knee injury that Jimmy never seemed to recover from.
The best plan for this organization moving forward, is trading Kyle Shanahan. This would be the best move Jed York could make at this point, and it's a move he should make even if it means Jed needs to eat a portion of Kyle's contract because the reality is, Jed jumped the gun with Kyle's extension, and there is no offsetting language, so at this stage, Jed is stuck paying the rest of Kyle's contract whether he fires him or trades him to another team, and recoups some of their draft capital they traded away for Trey Lance, who is going to be their QB in 2022, because he HAS TO BE for financial reasons alone. To continue to throw good money after bad at a Head Coach who has too much power, and will never agree to give up any of that power, will only continue this losing pattern.
Sure, the 49ers will have a new QB in 2022, and with that new QB comes new possibilities. But at the same time, Kyle has never truly proven himself capable of developing a young QB who has gone on to have sustained success, and frankly, he's not off to a very good start when it comes to Trey Lance. And if there is one thing that could potentially drive the final nails in the 49ers coffin, and set them back for the next decade, or longer, it would be a failure to properly develop Trey Lance to truly reach his full potential!
I can already hear people saying: But ... the 49ers made it to the Super Bowl in 2019!
ReplyDeleteYah they did, AND THEY LOST! In fact, Kyle's winning percentage is worse than Mike Singletary, Jim Tomsula, and Chip Kelly. You are what your winning percentage says you are, as a HC!
Even if you ignore his first year in charge of the franchise, when the roster was devoid of talent, his regular-season record is still 26-30 with just one playoff appearance in three (soon to be four) years. Few franchises have stomached such mediocrity without making a change, even from a coach who led a team to the Super Bowl.
Razor
ReplyDeleteI agree with your basic premise, "I think we can all agree that everything begins and ends with the quarterback position, both on the field and off it. I'd disagree with "both on the field and off it," because It fails to address the fact off field decisions, by both KS and JL, bear some responsibility for what happened on the field. #2 thru #4 does cover some of it, but doesn't explain why the decisions were made.
EXAMPLE: #1: After the mess left from Baalke & Harbaugh and the Tomsula & Kelly debacle, Jed's Hiring JL & KS was seen as a major improvement. The situation with Kaepernick, when the 9ers traded for JG, was also seen as proof that hiring JL and KS could return the team to it's glory years. #2: The 9ers were a 1W-10L team when the 9ers traded for him in 2017. JG won the last 5 games and was considered the 9er's "SAVIOR."
#3) "His locker room leadership and attitude towards the trade precipitated decision #4.: This one I don't understand how it "precipitated decision #4? What am I missing?
#4) In this league, you need a quarterback that is top 5 or the potential to be top 5 in fairly short order OR you want one in the bottom 5, which makes these decisions very simple.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 9er's FO stated reason for trading up to #3, for Lance, was due to JG's time spent on IR and the fact he couldn't be counted on to stay healthy.
Not that JG was a top 5 QB, or bottom 5 QB.
The locker room supports Jimmy, and he embraced the competition. He didn't demand a trade.
ReplyDeleteCorrect, "His health and the realization you can win with him, but not really because of him gave us decision #3".
Razor
DeleteI would change "precipitated" decision #4.
Definition of "precipitated": "cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely."
JG has said JL gave him an idea of what might happen on draft weekend. KS also said and JG has agreed, the 9ers held videoconferences before the draft and JG was kept informed to the 9er FO decision to draft a QB.
I agree with, "The locker room supports Jimmy, he embraced the competition and he didn't demand a trade.
But that did NOT "precipitate" (or cause), the decision to trade up for a QB, that decision had already been made and was NOT sudden, unexpected, or premature. JG was not only aware of the decision, he had IN FACT, by his own admission, been kept informed of said decision.
Fair enough, Geep.
DeleteI have said it before, when you have two QB's you have none. It seems to be ringing true. I agree with Geep that KS and JL need to be held accountable. Lance, he has played 1 1/2 games and he is already been injured. These people screaming for Lance with a porous right side is a recipe for disaster. Lance isn't ready, KS isn't ready for Lance. Until they are mathematically eliminated play your best players.
ReplyDeleteTo give you guys an idea of how bad things have gotten for this team in terms of play calling, which is supposed to be Kyle's strength, Kyle only called 11 runs for his RB's in back to back games vs the Cardinals.
ReplyDeleteThink about that! What's the last thing you want to be as a play caller? Predictable, right? The 49ers RB's were averaging over 5 yards per carry during the 49ers week-5 matchup vs the Cardinals, yet Kyle decided he'd rather run his prized rookie QB SIXTEEN TIMES, mostly between the Tackles, despite the fact that his RB's were averaging better than 5 YPC. So what does Kyle do vs the same team, a month later? He calls 11 runs for his RB's, despite the fact that he had a healthy Elijah Mitchell who just might be the most valuable player on the team right now, and even though Arizona was stacking the box, Mitchell still averaged 4.5 YPC, because he's that good!
Coming into this season, Kyle Shanahan has always been a run first play caller. Kyle is on record stating just how important it is for him to establish the run REGARDLESS of how the opponent is trying to defend against it, so something extremely FUNDAMENTAL has clearly changed with Kyle Shanahan this season, and I am wondering why. Something doesn't smell right, and you guys can smell it.
So WTF is going on with Kyle Shanahan?
As soon as they decided JG was no longer the QB they wanted long term they should have moved him along. That's really the mistake they made imo. Because as soon as they advertised it (trade up for a QB) it clearly signalled to the team that they didn't really believe in JG. And as soon as you erode belief in your leader, you get a team that loses belief in itself. That's what we are seeing.
ReplyDeleteDidn't seem to hurt the Chiefs. A trade up to improve the quarterback behind Jimmy as well as develop for the future was a perfectly reasonable decision at the time.
DeleteOne exception doesn't make it a good idea.
DeleteIt was a perfectly reasonable decision if you don't factor in the locker room and the human factor.
I was against keeping JG when they made the move up for a QB, but as the team continued to hold the line on keeping JG I was willing to go along with the idea and could also see the benefits so long as the team rallied around the idea. But the way things have played out has only confirmed my initial concerns about keeping him.
It has nothing to do with whether he can play, or which QB gives them the best chance to win today.
Fair enough.
DeleteBut I'm not sure why the "human factor"/locker room didn't see it as reasonable as well.
DeleteI think it's pretty normal to lose belief when the decision makers undermine your supposed leader on the field.
DeleteWhat we are now seeing - lots of mistakes that are mostly to do with lack of attention to detail on the little things - is common on teams that lack belief in themselves and those around them.
Some of it is also guys that are trying to do too much - a lot of the mistakes are from the team's best players, and coming because they are pressing too hard to make a play for the team. Again, that is a sign of players that think they need to do it all themselves, and don't trust the guys around them to make plays too.
As Bill Belichick says - do your job. Doesn't matter how big or how small you are in the team pond, if everyone does their job, does the little things they are supposed to do, the big plays will come naturally without needing to press for it.
Belief is a funny thing in sports. I've always thought there are three types of mindsets of teams. Those that hope to win. Those that believe they will win. And those that know they will win. Teams that hope to win really have little hope of winning, and are relying on the other team to lose. Teams that believe they will win can generally win their fair share of games, but will find ways to lose when their belief is tested. Teams that know they will win just find ways to win, no matter the odds. The players just keep turning up and making plays at critical points, even when it looks like the other team is on top.
It is also a pretty fluid dynamic - all it may take is one miracle win to go from hope to belief, and then belief to knowledge. And vice versa.
The 49ers look like a team stuck firmly in the second category to me. They believe they should be good enough to win, but when things get tough and that belief is tested they get nervy and make mistakes to lose the game. Keeps going that way and they will turn into a team that is just hoping to win.
To make things clearer re my thoughts on team mindset I should probably use different nomenclature, but that is how I have always thought of it.
DeleteMaybe a better way of putting it is:
- Believe they could win (hope)
- Believe they should win (belief)
- Believe the will win (knowledge).
Interesting theory Scooter McG but I don't buy it. Players and Coaches look at the best chances to win now. That's all they care about and if they had traded Garoppolo to go with a rookie who hadn't played football in awhile, that would have sent a far worst message to them I think. Whether we agree or not, this team believed it was a SB contender. If you believe that, you don't make moves to undermine it. They brought back a lot of players to take one more run at it and it hasn't worked out but I think the lack of leadership angle or now your belief that the team has lost faith in itself because the team lost faith in JG is way overblown.
DeleteThe reasons a football team loses aren't usually that complex and I think the problems this team has had are pretty obvious. The first reason is they lost Mostart and Verrett in the first game of the season. That changed the outlook for the pass defense and running game and they have been chasing answers to both every since. The other biggest factor is the new Defensive coordinators growing pains. The defense doesn't play smart or fast which were two staples of this defense when Saleh was here.
Obviously it isn't just those two things but they are the biggest reasons why this team has struggled for consistency. Let's put it this way, if they had killed off that last 37 seconds against GB and Garoppolo doesn't go out with a Calf injury against Seattle they are likely 4-0 heading into AZ and nobody is talking about confidence or leadership etc. It's football and sometimes the reasons you lose are simply because the other team makes the plays and you don't.
"We're a SB contender with JG at QB" and "we need to explore veteran options and then trade the farm for a new QB" are not two thought processes that are aligned.
DeleteI'm convinced the front office/ coaching staff thought they "could" win it with JG. That seems pretty clear. But it is also clear they don't really believe in him either. Divergent thoughts. Mixed messages. It was bound to create doubt in the locker room.
My thoughts align with Scooter on this one. A big reason for bringing in Lance was the need for a good backup. But a good backup could have been had from a veteran without the need to give up all those draft picks. I think you can also accept that selecting Mac Jones without giving up all of the draft picks with an implied thought that he could be the QB of the future in a few years is also a reasonable course for the "we need a good backup". Good backup because he was considered by many, even the pro-TL group, as the most pro-ready rookie. But once you give up a net of two 1st round picks and a third for a raw, unproven talent like TL, then a reasonable person has to read a lot more into it, imo. Namely, Jimmy is gone after this year. I wish the best for Lance, but, imo, the team has really mortgaged their future. Not with cash capital but with draft capital - but capital nevertheless.
DeleteSorry guys, but I have to add one more thing:
ReplyDeleteThis season could have gone so much better this year for ShanaLynch and the 49ers, IF .... they had changed the expectations going in.
Imagine how much better shape they would be in if, after they drafted Lance, they followed through and traded Jim my away, even if they didn't get much in return, and brought in a Minshew, or a Dalton, or even a mobile veteran like Josh Johnson?
That decision alone automatically lowers the fan base's expectations for this season, without outright saying it out loud, and moving on from Jimmy automatically eases some of the pressures between having a veteran QB whom a lot of the players have won with before, even if he's only an average QB in reality, and the portion of the fan base that was ready to move on from Jimmy (like ME), wanting to see the dynamic young QB who is now THE future of the franchise! And I think signing Minshew for only $850,000, which is what he's making now from the Eagles, would be an exciting option as a "bridge" QB, because he's closer to Lance than Jimmy in terms of skill set, so it's easier for Kyle to build out an offensive scheme that benefits Trey Lance's skill set from the get go, right? Make Trey Lance as comfortable as possible with the playbook from the get! THE SOONER KYLE CAN MAKE TREY LANCE COMFORTABLE WITH THE SCHEME, THE BETTER FOR TREY LANCE'S DEVELOPMENT! That's a fact, and that's why I'm frankly getting a little bit nervous. I do not like the way Trey's rookie season has unfolded for him so far! In fact, I am frustrated and getting angrier every week that goes by that Trey Lance can't onto the DAMN football field, and take at least a few fricken redzone snaps? I mean, WTF?
Listen - the fact of the matter is, the 49ers used the top of this year's draft to load up with an eye at NEXT season (Lance, Banks, Sermon, Thomas, Lenoir), and yet, all of the top teams this year are all getting great contributions from the top of their 2021 draft classes. That's a fact, and you can look it up. The reason is that the margins between the really good NFL teams, and the average NFL teams, is actually quite slim, which is why you need to be able to count on the top draft picks to come in and contribute right away, hoping to "push your roster over the top", right?
OK fine, if you want to take a quick, beneficial developmental year, and carry over an additional $24-$25M for next year's roster (lots of FA's BTW), knowing you have an exciting young QB that you need to develop.
Bringing Jimmy back was the worst part of the decision, IMO!
And my gosh, that additional $25M (Jimmy's $26-27M cap hit MINUS Minshew's $850,000) that we could have carried over to next year, which would obviously be another part of the move that is naturally geared towards 2022, would have been HUGE in terms of the longer view.
Kyle Shanahan is very SHORTSIDED, and his inability to see the bigger picture just might be his biggest competitor!
The forest through the trees, Kyle, the forest through the trees!
It would have also lowered the expectations of the 53.
Delete49Reason
DeleteYou're forgetting why KS would never agree to what you just posted! His Win-Loss record being what it is and as we've seen, his EGO won't allow him to accept any change(s) to his plan for the season.
It also exposes the biggest flaw in the 9er hierarchy! The need for a competent GM that can act as a counter weight and if necessary, override the HC's decisions.
You are right GEEP, I agree with that. I think I've alluded to that in some of my other posts. Most NFL HC's have oversized egos, but I do think Kyle's ego is seriously getting in the way of the team's progress at this point. For sure Jed needs to bring in a strong GM, but Kyle will never allow it.
Delete50% good and 50% bad gives a QB a 500% record. And in Garoppolo' case one also has to take into account how the team is negatively effected when Jimmy has missed time due to injury. Shanahan has to take a big hit in this regard for not having a good backup plan for when Garoppolo was being replaced by Mullens and Beathard.
ReplyDeleteGaroppolo' record as a 49ers starter is 25-12, and his current QBR is 48.9. This virtually makes him a 50/50 QB. These numbers undoubtedly support the fact that Jimmy' good games this season aren't enough to rate him as a top tier NFL QB.
Here's my take on the upcoming game against the Rams. If the 49ers lose, the Jimmy Garoppolo era should come to an end. The FO should bubble-wrap him in an effort to keep him healthy for an opportunity for him to land on another team in the off-season. A 50/50 QB is simply not good enough for the 49ers franchise.
For sure, AES!
DeleteNot necessarily. Over 30 of these guys will be FA's after the season. Guys always want to win. Guys like Gardner Minshew can bring new energy. Minshew is certainly a fiery guy, who plays very hard. Guys will get behind that as much as they will behind Jimmy, who certainly isn't a tough guy when it comes to playing through injuries.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me like a lot of these guys probably couldn't be giving much less effort than they are now. This season started going off the rails in the 2nd half of their first game. Among the issues that have DOGGED this football team early in the season:
- The Cornerbacks have basically redefined Pass Interference
- The receivers have all made an art - The TWO QB system that never was?
form out of dropping passes
- The Jalen Hurd "saga"?
- The Brandon Aiyuk "saga"?
- The Over/Under on a 2021 Garoppolo injury somehow goes UNDER?
- Penalties on every other play-
And of course, OBJ goes to the Rams.
ReplyDeleteThe Rams are an interesting counterpoint to the 49ers when it comes to roster building.
ReplyDeleteAs I said when they acquired Von Miller, I know it is sacrilege to root for a division rival, but there is definitely a part of me that hopes they are rewarded for their aggressiveness.
Scooter
DeleteIf the Rams win the SB, their GM, Les Snead, will be hailed as the new NFL visionary! But If they fail to win the division and then lose to Arizona (or anyone else), in the playoffs. Do you believe he'll be fired?
Why would he get fired?
DeleteWhy would he get fired?
Delete#1) Because he sold the farm to win a SB, but lost in the playoffs.
#2) Salary cap hell, mortgaged the future
#3) Cut promising young players to keep the high priced players Snead signed.
#4) OJB is locker room poison.
I can think of more reasons, but these will suffice
It is an interesting experiment for sure. They are running their team like an NBA franchise more than an NFL one, and while it's worked in the NBA I don't think it can in the NFL simply due to the injury factor. If you build a roster this way it erodes the middle of your roster on down which means if you suffer an injury to a high paid player you replace him with a much lesser option. As good as the Rams can look at times, you can also see that they have problems at every level of their defense and their OL and as good as Stafford has played this season, you still see the Detroit version from time to time like it did in the Titans game. This is bold for sure, but they have added two veterans this week who look like they are past their primes while emptying their draft cache and cap room.
DeleteIt will interesting to see how it works out for sure.
GEEP, he, along with McVay, has consistently put the team in a position to be a playoff/ SB contender the past few years. And when they've been in good position to make the post season they haven't been afraid to make big moves to strengthen the team further mid season.
DeleteA GM that consistently has his team putting up winning seasons is doing his job pretty well imo. A GM that makes moves to increase their odds of winning it when they are in a good position to do so is also, imo, a good GM that is doing his job well.
The reasons you give for why he might be fired are actually the reasons he should be kept.
Your response to why he should be fired is typical silly fan reaction - if you don't get the desired result then the process must be wrong. But there are 32 teams in the NFL and only 1 wins it each year. No guarantees.
All you can ask of your GM is they help build a roster that is a contender more often than not, and when they are in strong contention is willing to still look at ways to make the team better for a SB run.
NAE:
DeleteIs it any less bold to pin your hopes on a rookie QB for whom you gave up a net of two first round picks and a third round pick. Draft capital can be equated to cash capital.
Frankly, if one or the other "bold" approach had to be picked, I'd pick the Rams approach.
Scooter
Delete"he, along with McVay, has consistently put the team in a position to be a playoff/ SB contender the past few years." I agree Scooter, but that's in the past and at what price?
How'd the Rams contract with RB Todd Gurley and their previous QB, Jared Goff work out? The Rams have $41.4 million in dead cap from players like Jared Goff and Todd Gurley.
Rams QB Stafford's $9.5 million base salary in 2021, $12.5 million base salary in 2022 and a $10 million roster bonus. Also. cap hits of $20 million in 2021 and $23 million in 2022. both are reasonable if the Rams win the SB, but how will it be viewed should the Rams lose to Arizona, or any other team, in the playoffs?
Recent addition, Von Miller, cost Snead and the Rams a 2nd and 3Rd pick, plus $722,222 to rent him for 1/2 a season. Per Spotrac, the Rams have just over $3 Mil in cap space after trading for him, can they afford to keep him next year?
The salaries for the Ram star players all look to be reasonable, until you look at the bonus', dead cap $$ and cap hits.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/cap/
DeleteI'm well aware GEEP. For the past three or so years people have been saying they have mortgaged the future by their moves. Yet they keep on winning. And are in position again this year to compete for a SB.
DeleteAnd that's all while having $41.4 million in dead cap this year. How did those contracts for Gurley and Goof work out? Well, lets just say it hasn't prevented them from putting a good team together.
As for Miller - they'll probably either trade him on to recoup some of what they spent in draft capital to get him, rework his deal, or rework other deals. They have done it every year for the past few years.
Wow, that's insane! I didn't see that coming, but I guess I probably should have!
ReplyDeleteIf the Rams do go on and win the Super Bowl, they deserve a lot of praise, and a lot of credit! The Snead/McVay tandem will have registered a clear knock out over their divisional rival tandem of Lynch/Shanahan, or as I like to call them - ShanaLynch, as well.
People have been predicting salary cap h_ll for the LA Rams for the last 3 years, and all they do is make the playoffs, and even make the Super bowl, in all but one of those predicted salary cap doom and gloom seasons.
And if the Rams do end up coming up short, I still like their aggressiveness, and to be honest, who knows how long they can keep avoiding what some people believe is inevitable.
So far their strategy has worked out brilliantly BEACAUSE:
- They have managed to hit on their limited amount of draft picks at a very HIGH rate, and most of those picks contribute relatively early
- They have also gotten their money's worth out of just about every one of their big-ticket Free Agents and Trade Acquisitions (Ramsey, Whitworth, Stafford, etc)
Unlike, say ... DEE FORD and his $300,000 per offensive snap, or whatever it comes out to, lol. SMH!
49Reason:
ReplyDelete"IF" If the Rams do go on and win the Super Bowl, Snead will be called a visionary! But winning the SB is a big "IF" considering the fact they're the 2nd best team in the division and could lose to Arizona in the playoffs.....
Want to guess what he'll be called then? lol
One thing is certain, he's bet the farm on winning the SB.
Yah, if they don't win the Super Bowl, and like you pointed out GEEP, it' a little bit of an uphill climb, I guess the Rams strategy will ultimately be graded on their success or failure in 2022, and 2023. If they do come up short this season, but they manage to remain competitive over the next couple years, I don't know how they can be judged poorly, Super Bowl Trophy or not.
DeleteHurd released.
ReplyDeleteDamn shame.
DeleteRazor
DeleteAnother BAD DECISION by KS for not releasing Hurd before the season!
By keeping Hurd, he took a spot the 9ers could have used to keep another player that contributed...Like a CB?
Financial ramifications of 49ers waiving Jalen Hurd…
Delete2021 savings: $416k
2021 dead money: $283k
2021 cap savings: $133k
2022 cap savings: $1.08m
Not sure why they would do it now other than maybe he was finally healthy enough for them to cut him and they didn't want to risk him suffering another injury.
DeleteI hate the Rams with a passion.
DeleteBut hard not to respect them...takes major stones to do what they do every year. And every year right on cue, someone comes along and says this is not sustainable....all I see is them making playoffs and being competitive every season!
@Mugeek9er: Dead right.
Delete"Hurd released."
DeleteThanks for the heads up Razor. I really wanted to see Hurd get on the field and see what a 6'5" 230lbs WR could do. But like I said back in TC, I think that the 49ers were enamored with the idea of Jaylon rather then facing the inconvenient truth that he was damaged goods. Looks like the FO finally gave up on their pipe dream and came to grips with the truth.
@cubus,
DeleteWith all that said, I hope the Rams lose to us magically, but crush Seattle & Arizona! Lol!
My life right now....I'm rooting for Chicago to beat the Vikings, Seattle, Cardinals and then lose to Ravens. Why? Just because we beat Chicago on the head-to-head. I know it is pathetic and sucks! But this is the only way I see us getting into the playoffs. :)
I hate to keep crying over spilled milk, but why aren't the Faithful more upset about Kyle taking a pass on Tom Brady? How much different would this football organization be with Tom Brady ending his career with the 49ers?
DeleteTalk about strong leadership? My gosh, Tom Brady's leadership is downright LEGENDARY!
Tom wanted to end his career with the 49ers, and he was willing to make the decision as easy as possible for ShanaLynch. Tom Brady promised (Wes Welker) that there would be NO FREE AGENCY TOUR and NO BIDDING WAR - full stop! Tom was willing to sign a very simple and extremely reasonable - 2-year $50M deal, because he wanted to end his career where "his love of football began, in scarlet and gold, allowing his parents to actually drive to his games for the first time since the 1990s, in order to attend his games."
And Kyle Shanahan told Tom Brady - thanks, but No thanks?
Are you kidding me? The stars aligned and Tom Brady fell into Kyle's lap, and he said NO? If ever there was an example of how one simple decision can forever alter history, this would be it. And for me, if I owned the 49ers, I'd fire Kyle Shanahan on the spot for this one simple decision that has unfortunately altered the course of this storied franchise FOREVER!
I thought you wanted to trade Shanny, not sack him!
DeleteThat's a good point, Razor. Dang you for keeping me honest, lol.
DeleteBTW, I never said I'd be a good owner.
DeleteI may have more common sense than Kyle Shanahan, but I am fully aware that I am WAY to emotional to be running a sports franchise.
It'd be some poetic justice if Bosa knocks Stafford out of the game!
ReplyDeleteGeep, how's that Greg Roman offense looking to you? Lmao!
ReplyDeleteGreg Roman (Denver), 2021 record = 5W-4L
DeleteDenver's estimated to have $79,883,802 mil. in 20222 salary cap space, the highest in NFL.
After completing Von Miller trade. Broncos have 10 picks in the 2022 draft, including five selections in the first three rounds.
KS (9ers) 2021 record = 3W-5L
49ers estimated to have $11,779,202 mil. in 2022.
#23rd out of 32 teams
9ers have 8 picks in 2022 draft.
No 1st Rd draft picks in 2022, or 2023 in trade for Lance 2nd Rd. pick. No 3Rd 9ers 3Rd pick in trade for Lance, but Project to receive 2 3Rd round comp picks for Saleh and Mayhew. 4th Rd pick 5th Rd pick
6th Rd. 9ers trad their pick to jets for LB Willis
6th Rd pick from Denver for Griffith
No 9er 7th Rd pick, traded to Denver
7th Rd. 2 projected comp picks
Looks like a rebuild in Denver. Hopefully that means they sack Fangio, and Shanny hires him as the DC with Ryans moving back to LB coach!
DeleteRazor
Delete"looks like a rebuild in Denver. Hopefully that means they sack Fangio. LMAO
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT....Looks more like the 9ers have to rebuild and means both KS and JL are on the hot seat.
After a Monday night loss against the Rams, the 9ers will be 3W-6L with 8 games left in the 2021 season!
The 9ers should beat the Falcons and Texans and likely beat the Jaguars and Vikings. That gives the 9ers a 7W-10L season. A virtual repeat of the 2020 season (6W-10L) and 4 losing season out of 5 years since Jed
hired KS and JL....
If KS fails to develop Lance and 9ers have yet another losing season, both KS and JL should be fired.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT....Looks more like the 9ers have to rebuild and means both KS and JL are on the hot seat.
DeleteI don't believe that. To me, that's hyperbole.
His seat is getting warmer, but yah, I don't think Kyle is on the hot seat, although he probably should be. However, if early on in 2022, Trey Lance looks like a QB who hasn't made much progress in terms of his development, Kyle Shanahan's seat instantly becomes hotter than a snake's butt in a wagon rut, if you know what I mean!
DeleteNo self respecting Niners fan would never ever give the Rams credit for anything regardless of what the situation is.
ReplyDeleteMugeek9er damn right.
I don't just want to beat the Rams on MNF, I want to destroy them!
DeleteUmmm....Razor, maybe...just possibly...what if the opposite happens? What if the Rams embarrass us on National TV? I mean Aaron Donald wont forget what Deebo and Ross Dwelley did when we swept them last year, and I'm sure Sean McVay doesn't want to be known as Kyle Shanahan's adopted son :)
DeleteWill we see Trey Lance start against the Jaguars if that happens?
Btw, we travel on a short week to the East coast, possibly the longest cross country trip...for a 10AM game...nothing good happens for us in 10 AM games on the east coast on a short week.
One game at a time Mugeek9er. I hope the Rams give us their best shot! No excuses!
DeleteRazor - correct, the lamb,s the lambs the lambs, they suck it doesn't matter how good or bad they are they suck period just because...
ReplyDeleteThe game plan should be to run the football at least 35 times.
DeleteIt will be interesting to see if Morris also uses 6 D lineman to try to stop the 9ers run game. And if he does, will KS revert to passing plays again?
DeleteGeep, hope they do and if we hold onto the football they'll pay dearly!
DeleteLove your optimism dude....But here's another "IF."
DeleteIF JG doesn't throw 2-3 INT's, IF Norman doesn't get another taunting penalty, IF Kirkpatrick doesn't get run over by Henderson or Michel And IF the 9er don't
embarrass themselves in front of the home crow AGAIN!
SO I'M GOING TO BORROW SOME OF YOUR BIASED OPTIMISM, WEAR MY ROSE COLORED GLASSES AND HOPE LIKE HELL THEY DON'T.
Kyle Shanahan pointing finger at himself for 49ers' 3-5 record.
ReplyDelete“Failure of execution starts with me,” Shanahan said Monday. “When plays don't work, no matter how it happens, it starts with the coaches. There’s tons of things that I can do better. Whether you're running the ball or whether you're throwing the ball, coaching your guys to execute a play, starts with coaching and then it leads to playing. So that goes hand in hand.”
IF YOU'RE GOING TO TALK THE TALK, THEN YOU BETTER WALK THE WALK.....OR ELSE YOU'RE JUST PAYING LIPS SERVICE!
3W-5L DON'T FEED THE BULL DOG, JUST THE "BULL!"
Here's a relatively simple explanation of how the Rams keep finding cap space to add big names.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/how-rams-can-keep-finding-cap-space-to-add-big-names/ar-AAQDsFI?ocid=hplocalnews
Hall of Famer Steve Young was a guest Wednesday on KNBR's Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks Show. He spoke about being at a charity event earlier in the week, and speaking to Hall of Fame wide receiver, Jerry Rice, about what he's thinking, in regards to the 49ers.
ReplyDelete"I go, 'What do you think?," Young said. "He goes, 'There's no dogs.' And I got to interpret that. There's no dogs on there. You watch the team go on, go off, everyone's like, 'OK.' ` Steve Young
Interesting point brought up by Jerry Rice. There is no true Voice in the 49ers locker room, as I've noted. Have I been in the 49ers locker room to verify this comment? No. But I have watched the play and the players attitude game after game, and see no positive trajectory this season.
This team has no Justin Smith' or Donte Whitner' who can by a matter of attrition garner the attention of the locker room. It was my hope that Trent Williams and George Kittle could emerge as those types of leaders but it hasn't happened.
As another news source said after the 49ers loss to the Cards regarding leadership, "Why was Tavon Wilson trying to calm down Josh Norman?" (paraph). In other words, the team leaders should have been more involved in that situation.
Leadership (imho) starts in the locker room before it's manifested on the field. This observation involves the players and to a much higher degree, the head coach.
Something is definitely missing in NinerNation. The question is how do they get it back?
Yep, this is something a few of us have been saying for a few weeks now. The leadership group isn't very good right now. Too many quiet, lead by example types. Not enough vocal, lead by letting people know what's not acceptable types.
DeleteScooter, we need a Captain Insaneo!
DeleteQuestion to KS and his answer regarding leadership by players:
DeleteQuestion: When you lose five of six, everything comes into question, so there’s been some talk about what leadership and you guys have a lot of established guys who are kind of more quiet leaders, lead by example types. So, the conversation is well; you need someone to rattle some cages. Do you think you have enough guys or a guy who has the stature and personality to maybe say this, ‘what’s happening here can’t be tolerated anymore?’
Answer: “Yeah, I believe so. But I think all those guys got to play better too. It’s not just, we don’t have the right guy yelling at guys and saying, ‘this can’t be tolerated.’ I mean, that sounds good and all for everyone, but those are just words. It’s got to be with actions and not just wanting to do it, but performing at a high level. So when you have those guys that can hold people accountable, they also better be doing their job at a high level too. And I look less about who’s going to get all these guys going to play their best. That’s our job as coaches, as players, to try their best, to work their hardest, to get as healthy as they can for practice all the way up to Sunday and perform as good as you possibly can. And that’s what you have to do as individuals. And you push everyone as a team, your team pushes each other and then your whole team rises together. I think it’s very rare that you have one guy in that way. I get what you’re saying, but that’s usually not what answers it. It’s a guy playing the right way, leading by example, doing it the right way, performing. And then we can all hold accountability and try to get a certain standard for every single player.”
Shanny is right to some degree - the leaders have to lead by example. But I think you also need some of those leaders to be willing to call guys out if they aren't meeting standards.
DeleteLets just say, Tom Brady would have had one of his sideline tantrums at his teammates by now if he was the 49ers QB.
@Scooter: Yeah, but Tom Brady because of his incredible resume commands respect even if he hasn't been playing well. Not sure you can say that about very many players on the niners. Nick Bosa, perhaps, but he doesn't have the personality for it as far as I know.
DeleteOf course, KS' answer would seem to indicate that he doesn't think that type of player is very important, so there hasn't been much effort to bring in that kind of player.
That's true about Brady. Sherman was the same. Of course, if they played poorly for a long stretch that respect would diminish over time. Your leaders need to both walk the walk, and talk the talk.
DeleteIf KS doesn’t think that type of leader is important, he is wrong.
Good news my friends. Jimmy Ward practicing!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you guys think of Lynch calling out Fred Warner for “not having the season so far that he expects or that we expect.” A lot of negative reactions to Lynch calling out Warner over on Niners Nation.
ReplyDeleteComes with the big paycheck.
DeleteIt is pretty strange to have a GM calling players out publicly.
DeleteI suspect it is intended to try and fire him and the players up, more so than really call Warner out. Lynch, as an ex-player and former team leader, probably sees there is a void in that department atm so may be trying to fill that void himself. But if so it is misguided imo - coming from the FO, no matter the person's history, isn't the same as peer accountability. It will likely just come across badly to the playing group.
The fact Lynch is right will help to some degree, but still, while being right, doesn’t mean it was the right thing to do.
Fred Warner hasn't been playing in top form, but he also doesn't strike me as a guy who isn't giving 100% effort. It seems to me that the more likely factor in his drop off is that this defense, as a whole, isn't playing particularly good football and Fred is probably trying to do too much, so I'm not exactly sure what John Lynch is trying to accomplish by calling out one of his best players / team leaders, in the public sphere. I sure hope that John and Kyle have had these discussions with Fred in private, before going public with this stuff, but either way, it's not a very good look, IMO.
Delete@Scooter: Yeah, I'm kind of in agreement with you. I'm not so much against him calling players out, but feel that doing it publicly can have bad repercussions. As I understand it Lynch spoke with the team before the Cardinals game. I guess he felt that it didn't have the desired effect and now he needs to publically call out players.
DeleteI think its just fine, however before you do, you better know that your own s--t doesn't stink and right now on the Niners EVERONES s--t stinks. All of them need to put their big boy/girl panties on and start playing some ball. That goes for you too office people. Need some attitude around there.
DeleteBTW Scooter, the other day when I posted about Kyle being -44 in turnover differential during his 49ers tenure, and I asked:
Delete"what is the #1 determining factor in NFL football games?"
and you replied:
"Oooh, I know this one - points scored vs points against! :-P"
OMG Scooter, I just want you to know that I got the biggest kick out of your response! I mean, I am guessing maybe it was a callback to Arnold Horshack of Welcome Back Kotter (great show BTW), because I couldn't get the vision of Horshack raising his hand as high as a human possibly could in class, going:
"Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh I got it, outscoring your opponent, yah that's it. Points scored vs points against."
CLASSIC!
Honestly, I don't know why I found that so funny, but I don't think I've laughed that hard since the beginning of the pandemic, so I wanted to thank you for that, because I needed a good laugh, and that one will stick with me for a while!
I fear that for the rest of my life, every time I hear or read about Turnover Differential, I am going to envision Arnold Horshack's goofy ass raising his hand in class.
DeleteI guess I am OK with that, lol.
Cubus, in Warner's defense I would add he's playing without some beef in the middle and his dude at Will.
ReplyDeleteRazor, you have to admit, something peculiar is happening to this football team. Doesn't it strike you as a little bit odd that John Lynch is calling Fred Warner out in public?
DeleteI mean, it comes down to cause and effect, right?
Cause and effect: The relationship between two things when one thing makes something else happen
Of all the players on this roster, I feel pretty darn confident that Fred Warner isn't the cause of the 49ers defensive woes this season, rather the drop off of his play is an effect of what is happening all around him, on this defense. For instance, the 49ers are sticking with this Wide-9 front, even though they don't really have the beef in the middle of the DL to stop the run. We've seen Street and Givens in particular, although I think all of the DT's with the possible exception of DJJ, just getting manhandled up front! As a result, Fred Warner's gap responsibilities have been magnified to an unreasonable degree, IMO, and of course that's going to have a domino effect when it comes to his pass coverage as well, right?
And BTW, I don't think John Lynch is making these public statements without Kyle at least greenlighting it, but I have a feeling that the puppet master - Kyle Shanahan - is actually behind these public statements.
This style of public criticism, or public shaming, if you will, seems much more aligned with Kyle Shanahan's style, than it does John Lynch.
What do you guys think? Do you agree with my assessment?
Also, does it seem like there is a different "aura" surrounding this football team, and I'm not simply talking about it as a product of losing ... as I actually feel like it started to rear it's ugly head in various ways as early as training camp?
He's not just some GM. He's a hall of famer. He can call out anyone he wants in public. You think he hurt Warner's feelings?
DeleteNo, I get that. I am not taking anything away from John Lynch - the HOF Safety. He was an inspiring football player and his words hold weight.
DeleteI am strictly speaking about John Lynch - the 49ers GM.
Do I think he hurt Warner's feelings? I am not sure I would phrase it like that, Razor.
If I am Fred Warner, am I wondering if John Lynch has my back? Yah, probably.
Again, I don't know what calling one of your star players out in public, when the entire defensive team is playing sub-par football, accomplishes. I don't know why calling any player out in public, is as effective as doing it in private. Every person is different, and every person responds differently to criticism. Now, you take that criticism public, you are potentially alienating that player, aren't you?
OK, let me ask this a different way:
What is John Lynch accomplishing by calling Fred Warner out in the press, that can't be accomplished BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, Between two great football players, and two great men?
Why are the 49ers suddenly publicly shaming their best players? Not only do I think it has the potential to damage relationships, but it's also a bad look for the organization, don't you think?
Giving a player a shit ton of money is a huge got your back signal to me.
DeleteI don't like the idea of calling out perhaps your best defensive player. While the entire 49ers defense has underachieved, singling out Warner could have a negative effect. This type of action could cause Fred to mistrust the FO and may also leave him with a sense of incompetence. Lynch' should be addressing players like Josh Norman, Ebukam and even Nick Bosa who I believe has not played up to his optimum level. But, I will give Bosa a pass because he is coming back from a major injury.
DeleteI'm not crazy about Lynch being the Voice, because the optics are that Shanahan has lost communication in the locker room. The fact that Lynch stepped up to take this action seems to help validate this.
John York at practice! That should amp up the performance pressure!
ReplyDeleteHa!
Delete"John York at practice! That should amp up the performance pressure!"
DeleteOr, may suggest that the Boss needs to get a personal view of the 49ers issues. This could be an indictment on Shanahan, Lynch and even Jed.
The three of them were having a discussion, but that kind of conversation could be had in the privacy of Mr. York's office, a restaurant or health club. I don't think him being there was any kind of indictment but more about symbolism.
Delete49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel says that Jaylon Moore made strides from Thursday to Friday in terms of his comfort at right tackle.
ReplyDeleteThat's encouraging considering the footwork is the inverse of what he's been doing.
Well there you go, Razor.
DeleteIf Jaylon Moore has "made strides" in in two days worth of practice, imagine how far along he'd be if the had bothered to spend some time cross-training him over the last 3.5 months? You know, like you traditionally do with your best backup OT (aka Swing Tackle).
Jaylon Moore has been practicing on this team since JULY 30TH! Are you telling me the 49ers couldn't find a way to get him up to speed at RT over the last 112 days?
This is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE from a coaching standpoint!
Now Jaylon Moore has to hold down the fort at RT on MNF, with the season on the line, even though he apparently has only spent the last couple days cross-training at the RT position?
Are you fricken kidding me? This lack of vision and preparation already cost the 49ers last Sunday, when Tom fricken Compton had to play in McGlinchey's place because the 49ers decided that developing the superior player wasn't worth a few days of practice at the opposite Tackle position?
And what if Garoppolo gets hurt last week, on one of Tom Compton's pathetic efforts trying to block at RT?
PFF: "It was an abysmal day for San Francisco's pass-blocking unit. Mike McGlinchey suffered a knee injury that sidelined him, and replacement Tom Compton gave up five pressures — two sacks, one hit and two hurries — on just 33 pass-blocking snaps."
This is a perfect example of Kyle Shahan's universal, unadulterated failures as a Head fricken Coach! This guy has to go!
And BTW, this is a perfect example of why I don't think a lot of these players are responding to Kyle Shanahan anymore. As I posted a couple days ago, TOM COMPTON is a Kyle Shanahan "favorite".
Delete- "Tom Compton is an old Shanahan "favorite" going back to 2012, and Tom Compton should never be ahead of a promising young player like Jaylon Moore, especially if that young player is more than just a superior athlete, and actually plays like a real pro! Jaylon Moore is poised, and he's a dawg!"
Tom Compton is a SCRUB! That's a fact. He's a borderline NFL OT. In fact, if it wasn't for Kyle, Tom Compton probably would have been out of the NFL years ago!
If it weren't for the fact that Compton was part of the Skins' 2012 draft class (RG3, Cousins, Morris, etc), I highly doubt Kyle would give this guy the time of day. And that's the problem.
Players notice this stuff. Players notice how Kyle treats different players differently. How Kyle allows Trenton Cannon to fumble the football 3 times in one game, but then he has a key role in the very next game. Meanwhile, Matt Breida fumbles a couple times over the course of 4 games, and suddenly he's off the team. Guys notice when Josh Norman get's benched for committing a ridiculous Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty, and then Kyle tells the press that he "didn't want him to be benched for the whole game", but that he was "OK with it" (totally undercutting his DC - DeMeco Ryans, BTW).
OK, I have to sign off now, because Kyle has my blood pressure through the roof!
Question to all about bringing Fangio back as DC if he became available: Do you think he'd even want to? Sure, money talks, but having put in four years here as a great DC and being passed over for Jim Tomsula of all people. Actually, as I read that sentence back to myself, I can't think of another universe where that could happen. But it happens in Yorkville, and that's the point.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nfl.com/news/rogers-hiring-tomsula-was-slap-in-the-face-to-fangio-0ap3000000594510
I see no way Fangio would want to come back to the 49ers.
DeleteI also highly doubt Shanahan would be interested in overhauling the D to fit Fangio's scheme.
From my understanding, Shanny and Fangio have a close relationship.
DeleteI have to disagree with Scooter here. I don't think it would be a complete overhaul. He's pretty versatile in his fronts and coverages. Donatell would be familiar with Ward too.
@Razor: If Fangio becomes DC and changes to a different system (3-4 for example), will Kocurek leave?
DeleteI've also heard that Kyle and Vic have a close relationship, but I agree with Scooter on this, and it has nothing to do with scheme.
DeleteKyle and Vic may be able to work together, but that doesn't really matter because Vic Fangio and Jed York's relationship is completely broken, and I highly doubt that Vic Fangio would ever work for Jed York again. I think the chances of this are somewhere between slim, and NONE!
Aint gonna happen!
Dude, we're talking about grown professionals here. That's water under the bridge. Jed has grown and learned from his mistake. I highly doubt Vic holds any grudge against him.
DeleteCubus, I don't see why not. Kocurek eats, drinks and sleeps defensive line play. That kind of passion is hard to find, and one I see Fangio appreciating.
DeleteAlso, if that really was the case 49Reasons, why did they try to pry him away from Chicago? Vic had his bags packed!
Delete@Razor:
DeleteI was thinking Kocurek might not want to switch to a defensive front that is not a 4-3 and doesn't include the wide-9. Not so much that Fangio might not want him. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Fangio/Donatel back.
Cubus, if I'm not mistaken he runs a predominately 4-3 under.
DeleteI said Vic will never come here to work for Jed, I didn't say Jed wouldn't allow it.
DeleteFangio wanted to leave Chicago for us but they wouldn't let him!
DeleteWhat is the difference between Saleh first year and Ryans first year. Talent, talent, talent...
ReplyDeleteThis catastrophe of a season is not alone the coaches fault, piss poor playing by the players also has contributed mightily.
We need a CB or two in the draft but wait we don't own a first round draft and they might be giving the team that has it a very high draft pick.
I'd look to sign one in free agency with the cap relief Jimmy G will give them.
DeleteI am not quite sold on JG being gone next year. Sure as heck seems like he should be gone but this regime...
DeleteWould be the smartest way to move on from Jimmy G cuz dingen the SB loss the magic is gone,with moving on we can get a better CB and a improved o-line with the money that will be freed.
ReplyDelete.