He's a funny guy. One thing Grant does well and that's interview. I don't know if anyone caught his interview with Jimmy Ward during the offseason, but one topic that came up was the lack of respect by the Rams. Well, it's no coincidence he has provided us with a story about the former 49ers GM, Trent Baalke as we pay him, and his Jacksonville Jaguars a little visit. This is what he had to say:
“I still think about the day that, I think it was after the [New York] Giants game, playing cover-3,” Ward recalled. “He came up to me and was like, ‘Jimmie, you don’t know how to play cover-3?’ I’m like ‘I'm the buzz player. I’m doing the right thing. You need to look at your other guys. Who ever is in the hook be pushing the hook on the slant.’ That’s something I’ll never forget.
“I couldn’t say that back then. I can say it now, because the players aren’t here, and Trent isn’t here. [I thought] ‘I know I’m a rookie so you’re going to pin it on me but I can’t play the hook and the buzz.’ All right, but shout out to Trent. I wanted to get that off my chest. I’ve been waiting for eight years to get that off my chest.”
Baalke seemed to think he was a secondary coach or something. I know some on here questioned whether or not Lynch should call players out, and I thought it was perfectly fine given he wears a gold jacket. Here's what Ward had to say regarding the GM being around practice fields and such:
"The sighting of a general manager on the practice field is never a good sign. It usually is an indicator to the players that something less than positive is afoot". “John was a player though, he can’t help it,” Ward said. “He has the gold jacket, and that’s the difference. Trent never played, right? You can’t keep John off the field. John probably still wants to play. He really doesn’t say too much.”
This adds a little intrigue to this matchup. Makes it a little more personal. Should be a great game!
JIMMIE WARD WITH A BLAST FROM THE PAST:
ReplyDelete49ers' Jimmie Ward airs Trent Baalke grievances eight years later
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-jimmie-ward-airs-trent-001542642.html
Jimmie Ward would like to thank Trent Baalke in Jacksonville this weekend but the safety also has a grievance to air with the ex-49ers general manager.
Baalke was the man responsible for the 49ers selecting Ward with the No. 30 overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, but the 30-year-old shared a moment he will never forget with the current general manager for the Jaguars.
Ward shared on Thursday that the two have not kept in touch but he will always be thankful to Baalke for his eight seasons wearing the red and gold.
“I still think about the day that, I think it was after the [New York] Giants game, playing cover-3,” Ward recalled. “He came up to me and was like, ‘Jimmie, you don’t know how to play cover-3?’ I’m like ‘I'm the buzz player. I’m doing the right thing. You need to look at your other guys. Who ever is in the hook be pushing the hook on the slant.’ That’s something I’ll never forget.
“I couldn’t say that back then. I can say it now, because the players aren’t here, and Trent isn’t here. [I thought] ‘I know I’m a rookie so you’re going to pin it on me but I can’t play the hook and the buzz.’ All right, but shout out to Trent. I wanted to get that off my chest. I’ve been waiting for eight years to get that off my chest.”
Jimmie Ward: You've got to love him....LMAO
DeleteRazar, It's been widely reported that it's Mitchell's RIGHT HAND. I found out yesterday (Thursday), but I am sure the Jaguars found out much earlier, because like I said, there are rules governing how teams are required to report injuries.
ReplyDeleteFor instance: If a QB hurts his shoulder, and has a minor surgical procedure done on that shoulder, his team is required to report which shoulder it was and so forth. The same goes for a ball carriers hand. We might not have found out which hand it was until a few days later, but the Jaguars did, I promise you that.
As for Kyle, the more I think about it, I will admit that it's possible that he did ask his head trainer which hand it was and just played stupid, because Kyle takes this competitive advantage thing WAY TOO FAR, like we saw in the draft. Besides, I've also learned that I can't believe a word that comes out of his mouth, so there's that.
Anyways, like I said, it really doesn't matter because I am sure the Jaguars assume that he wasn't playing on Sunday, as soon as they found out he was having a pin inserted in his finger on his dominant hand. If I know he's not playing this week, the Jaguars surely know, right? There's no way Kyle's going to allow the Jaguars to to after the football, punching, pulling, all of that stuff that puts the finger, and the football at risk.
Elijah Mitchell is not playing on Sunday, guys!
Here is a YouTube link to fantasy football Dr, Dr. Jesse Morse, in regards to Mitchell's injury. He talks about whether it's Mitchell's ball hand (dominant hand) and most importantly, he talks about the protocol for pins, etc.
"Elijah Mitchell - Broken Finger? Surgery? When's He playing?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bnmp5gNBHg
Just give us a link on one of the "widely" reports on which hand it is.
DeleteIt's his right hand Razor.
DeleteLike I said, the beat reports were reporting it yesterday, but I can assure you that the Jaguars knew much earlier, which goes to my point.
DeleteBut I am beating a dead horse at this point, and all that matters is that it's his right hand, which is his ball hand BTW, so not only is he out this week (even though Kyle won't officially "make the decision" until Sunday), I wouldn't be surprised if he missed next week as well.
Matt Maiocco, for one, reported it yesterday
Deletehttps://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/49ers-elijah-mitchell-held-out-second-practice-after-finger-surgery
Maiocco - 11/18: "Mitchell's status for the 49ers' game Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars remains in question after he underwent surgery Tuesday to insert a pin into a broken finger on his right hand."
DeleteDon't present a quote and slap it to Maiocco. Give me the link where he says it cuz I can't find one. The nbcsports link never says which hand.
DeleteRazor, did you watch the video?
DeleteDoes Kyle really think that the Jaguars are going to be fooled into thinking Mitchell's going to play with a recently inserted pin into a finger on his dominant hand?
Come on, man! This is just Kyle trying to act like he's somehow smarter than everyone else, like we've seen a millions times before.
But that's it now, I'm done getting on Kyle. The 49ers are about to go on a very nice run, so there's no reason to keep digging at Kyle for now. GO NINERS!
I did give you the link, Razor.
Deletehttps://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/49ers-elijah-mitchell-held-out-second-practice-after-finger-surgery
DeleteWhere does Maiocco specify which hand in that link?
Razor, did you read the article? 2nd paragraph! I posted the paragraph for you.
DeleteWhat, do you think I am lying or something? Trying to pull a fast one on you? Come on man!
BTW, other beat writers have been tweeting about it. It's not a secret, razor, and it was never going to be a secret.
DeleteI can assure you that the Jags knew which hand it was by Wednesday at the latest.
My bad. I found it. Right hand it is then!
DeleteThat's cool. Do you think Mitchell plays Sunday?
DeleteI said right after the injury I doubt he plays and I still think he won't play. Jimmy G gonna drop a 300 yard burger on Jacksonville!
DeleteWhoa, well alright then!
DeleteAre we witnessing the Jimmy Garoppolo resurgence ... from the ashes?
We just might be!
That's why I need to stop being hard on Kyle until after this surge. Because I think the 49ers are about to go on a run.
DeleteIt's a good time to "go on a run". I might print up some shirts!
DeleteI feel more comfy with Wilson carrying the loaf of bread than Sermon. However, Wilson did have fumble issues early on in his career. To his credit, he did correct them but a couple time I thought I saw that ball move a little in his limited carries. Let's just hope he holds on tightly to that football Sunday morning.
ReplyDeleteSo, if Mitchell isn't playing this week, and Hasty is still out, I'll be curious to see if Trey Sermon is still an afterthought. This is exactly why you don't alienate a 3rd round RB who you may need to call on down the stretch.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to guess, I'd guess that Wilson get's the bulk of the carries, with Sermon and Cannon sharing the rest, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Cannon getting carries ahead of Sermon.
Alienate? Lmao! Carries are earned, not given. If he feels alienated he's got deeper issues than holding onto the football.
DeleteFeels alienated? LOL
DeleteHe scrubbed his social media of everything 49ers. Probably not what you want from THIRD RND Pick.
Like my guy - Eric Crocker says ... "who did the 49ers think they were getting in Trey Sermon?"
The 49ers handling of Sermon is a lot like Aiyuk, and I think it's ridiculous! But that's my personal opinion.
Let's hope they don't need to rely on Sermon now.
Anybody that questions Turner's handling of Sermon has a screw loose. I'm sorry.
DeleteOh, I don't believe this has anything to do with Turner, who basically pounded the table for Sermon, just like I don't think Kyle's issues with Aiyuk had anything to do with Welker.
DeleteThis has Kyle's fingerprints all over it.
There you go again! Lmao!
DeleteYah, if you'd quite defending the indefensible, lol
DeleteIf Sermon isn't playing, it is almost certainly at Bobby Turner's suggestion. He handles RB decisions.
DeleteIf Sermon can't handle not being active, he has two choices - bust his butt to get the confidence of Turner, or be a petulant little you know what. Sadly, I get the feeling he is taking the latter approach. If so, seriously, grow up young man!
BTW Razor, this mysterious "fumbling issue" of Sermon's that you speak about, for me it ring hallow. A lot of people expected Trenton Cannon to get cut after he helped fumble away the Seahawk's game in his first extended action, but Kyle seems to like the kid, so he was right back on the field the following week. Just saying.
DeleteYah, I am not putting all of Sermon's issues on Kyle, but his inconstancies with how he deals with players, has hurt this team. That seems pretty clear to a lot of us fans.
DeleteKyle needs to understand that consistency is the most important thing with these young guys, because if they feel like they are being treated unfairly, you end up with too many of these Brandon Aiyuk and Trey Sermon situations, and that hurts the team.
Look no further than the way Kyle dealt with all of the issues with his veteran DB's this season. Lenoir makes two rookie mistakes and suddenly he's inactive. He's another guy I've heard is a bit confused. Not good for long term stability, IMO.
Say what you will about Belichick, he's consistently a hard ass with each and every one of his players, so his guys know what to expect. And unlike Kyle, Belichick has earned his stripes.
DeleteThat's all I am saying.
DeleteBut, in the name of consistency, I said I am going to stop pointing out Kyle's flaws for now, because the 49ers are still in this thing, and I think they are about to go on a run.
There will be plenty of time to dissect Kyle's shortcomings after the season.
Because I can't wait to see how Kyle handles the Garoppolo situation during the offseason, especially if Jimmy continues to play like this.
DeleteIt will be FASCINATING!
I'm just glad we got Shanny and Lynch. Two men that actually know a thing or two. Plus we got Bobby Turner, the magic man!
DeleteElijah Mitchell is officially 'doubtful' for Sunday -
Delete"49ers less optimistic Elijah Mitchell can play with surgically repaired finger"
lol, Kyle and his Jedi mind tricks.
OK, here is the genius of Kyle Shanahan:
Delete"The 49ers had a player in motion at the snap 38 times on Monday night, the most in a game over the last 5 seasons. They ran the ball 33 times on those plays."
I give him a hard time as a HC, but this is a reminder that Kyle really is a play-calling genius!
More reason for optimism:
DeleteThe 49ers have the sixth-easiest remaining schedule, with an opponent winning percentage of just .459!
Beginning with this week's trip to Jacksonville, the Niners face 5 teams down the stretch with sub .500 records, including the two-win Jags and one-win Texans.
It only makes sense to swap out my "realist" cap, for my "optimist" cap, so LET'S GO NINERS! Bring on the Jags!
DeleteAnyone who appreciates the game of pro football has to love Jimmie Effing Ward. To paraphrase Kyle: if he's to ever wear a player jersey, it'd be that of Jimmie.
ReplyDeleteThere's a reason coaches and FO's love him and he's been part of the franchise through four coaches. He's true pro -- working hard on refining his craft, and doing his job on the field. He keeps the defensive back end functioning together as a cohesive unit even as the other DB personnel continues to change, often lacking NFL-level talent. He's quiet off the field but brings a confident attitude on the field that permeates into the other DBs and LBs. Huff will develop as an NFL player faster by playing with Ward.
Fans used to complain about his injuries. But his injuries like bone breakages are more statistical compared to injuries that happen because of lack of conditioning, e.g., soft tissue injuries. Now we have fans complain about his lack of TOs. It's true he's not a ball-hawking safety, but his reliability and leadership is valuable.
Due to his having to play the CB position and his early-career injuries, he seems to blossoming late. I expect him to continue making more plays and figure in the Niners' plans beyond 2022, based on the restructuring of this contract in September. IMO, he will be a on Niners' Ten-year Wall.
When he came out I saw him as a playmaker coming downhill. He couldn't stay healthy and wasn't making plays on the ball. So naturally I soured on him. I'm glad he's working out, and come to find out our best cover db on the team. Keep everything in front of him and let him make plays on the ball. That's what he did very well in college.
DeleteCompletely agree Mood. Ward has been one of my favourite 49ers for some time. Was a solid player from the get go imo, but one bad game against Brandon Marshall in the red zone very early in his career and injuries turned many fans against him early on.
DeleteIn the past 3 years he has really developed into one of the better safeties in the NFL.
Good pick by you, Scooter.
Delete
DeleteCoach Yac 🗣
@Coach_Yac
·
Nov 18
Jimmie Ward in coverage this season Exploding head
• 300 coverage snaps
• 7 catches allowed
• 5 games without allowing a catch
• 0 TDs
• 2 INTs (1 pick-6)
Jimmy Ward's interview was cool! He is a funny guy, but backs up his trash talk with solid play! Respect!
ReplyDeleteSide Note/Fun Fact:
James Robinson, the RB1 for Jacksonville was an UDFA in 2020, who had only two teams call him after the draft. He ended up with the Jacksonville Jaguars....the other team? San Francisco 49ers.
We sure know how to scout RBs! Wish this guy was with us over Hasty and Salvon Ahmed. Could have gone a different direction with the 3rd (Trey Sermon) pick. :)
https://www.si.com/nfl/jaguars/news/who-is-james-robinson-former-coaches-detail-rise-of-jaguars-rookie
Inman reporting Tartt and Greenlaw look ready to come off IR. Good news!
ReplyDeleteHey Scooter, do you expect to see Wilson and Juice a bit more pronounced in the passing game at Jacksonville? I do.
ReplyDeleteI think the passing game will be a bit more pronounced in general.
DeleteI'll be keeping an eye on all the ways they try and use Deebo. Was employing him as a RB it a one week thing, or has Shanahan decided he needs to maximise the team's most dynamic weapon?
Wilson is a really good receiving back, and the Jags strength defensively is stopping the run was my line of thought.
DeleteReporter: I know you were hopeful that Elijah Mitchell would play, he's not ruled out yet. Did his finger not respond as well as you'd hoped or what happened with his finger this week?
ReplyDeleteKyle: "It's just how he feels with it. And we thought it would be a little further along now. It obviously isn't. That's why he couldn't go today. We are holding out hope because we still got 48 hours, but anytime that someone doesn't go today, it's tough."
Oh geesh - "we thought it would be a little further along now."
Less than 72 hours since he had a pin inserted in his finger ... on his dominant hand?
I know it's getting old, and I did say I needed to stop giving Kyle a hard time, but my gosh, this guy is on a completely different level, he just never stops shoveling the BS!
If at all possible, Shanahan should rest Mitchell this weekend and see if he's better for the Vikings.
DeleteWilson could hold down the fort this Sunday and perhaps Shanahan could give Sermon some snaps as well.
Kyle Shanahan essentially deployed 49ers RB Jeff Wilson Jr. as a fullback during SF's epic opening drive against the Rams.
ReplyDeleteWilson: "That was lovely, man. I got to hit people... It was like a stress reliever. He knew I needed it."
That 11 personnel package using Deebo at RB and Wilson at FB was brilliant.
DeleteMoving forward, may also get some teams that try and defend it with base perssonel, providing an obvious mismatch in the passing game.
I wonder how influential McDaniel's was in that brilliance.
DeleteI have to say, that was a brilliant game plan from Kyle. It's these kinds of games that make you really appreciate his brilliance as a HC.
DeleteThe Jags' run defense is 12th in YPG, so they are top half of the league in run defense, and they are beat up at the WILL LB position, so yah, I think this game sets up a lot like the Rams matchup for the 49ers offense, except they won't have their best RB.
The question I have is whether Jeff Wilson is ready to handle 30+ carries on Sunday?
No, I'm not wavering. I meant Kyle's brilliance as an offensive play caller.
DeleteOf course we have to give McDaniels credit as well, because he's a run game savant, from what I've heard.
By the way, I know I am getting way ahead of myself, but it just occurred to me how relieved I am relieved that the 49ers don't have to worry about beating the Patriots if they meet in the Super Bowl.
Oh, I see you mentioned McDaniel, good call Razor.
DeleteThe Patriots have a championship caliber defense, OL, and run game. No question about that. If they do manage to make it to the Super Bowl, they really can't win, so that's good news for whoever represents the NFC!
DeleteWhy can't the Patriots win the Super Bowl?
DeleteBecause all I heard this offseason was how a rookie QB has never won, and can never win a Super bowl, so I am assuming that automatically eliminates the Patriots, right?
The last time I checked, Mac Jones was a rookie.
Biggest game of the year...if they win, then next weeks game is the biggest game of the year.
ReplyDeleteThe Niners play really well on the road, the Niners seem to be getting healthier, Niners are playing for their playoff lives the Jags are playing for draft position. Niners should win this game...if if if.
Take care of the Jaguars and everyone gets out healthy.
DeleteVikings are just as good as we are. That game will be humongous!