According to Shanny, Brock Purdy will be the one other player hermetically sealed and ruled out of this game, along with CMC. Sounds like the rest of the starters are dialed in to play. Thoughts?
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...
Interesting choice to sit Purdy but not necessarily others. I get it - we've seen how important a healthy Purdy is to the teams chances. But its still a long break to have for your starting QB heading into the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteIts a bit of catch-22 either way though. If a key player gets hurt this week people will complain they shouldn't have been playing. If they rest them, and the team is flat in their first playoff game, people will complain that the players were rested too much. End of the day it will be up to the players to perform no matter the circumstances.
Scooter,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, it is a catch-22. But, I lean towards resting Purdy and only giving the Starters minimal playing time. This game has no bearing for the 49ers current #1 seed position.
I believe that Shanahan will keep the team very active during downtime before they play in the post season. How that shakes out is anyones guess.
TBD
Yeah, I was originally leaning towards having the starters play at least the first half, but have changed my mind and now think they are best off just giving their key players the game off (Purdy, CMC, Kittle, Aiyuk, Deebo, Williams, Banks, Bosa, Armstead, Hargrave, Warner, Greenlaw, Gipson, Ward), and limit the reps of other starters. Unfortunately given roster limits may need some of those guys to suit up and play some snaps.
DeleteGet to the divisional round healthy, and trust the players to do their jobs.
This situation is the very definition of damned if you do and damned if you don't. If KS plays a starter and he gets injured he will be blamed. If KS sits most of the starters and the team comes out flat in their first playoff game KS will be blamed. It is the perfect storm for all of the KS haters. I would play the starters for two possessions on both O and D, then sit as many starters as possible. imho
DeleteThe following #49ers were selected for the 2024 NFC Pro Bowl:
ReplyDelete• QB Brock Purdy
• RB Christian McCaffrey
• FB Kyle Juszczyk
• TE George Kittle
• OT Trent Williams
• DE Nick Bosa
• DT Javon Hargrave
• LB Fred Warner
• CB Charvarius Ward
Congrats, they've earned it.
DeletePer USA TODAY,
ReplyDelete"The Los Angeles Rams are going to play it safe in Week 18 when they visit the San Francisco 49ers, choosing to rest Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and Ernest Jones. One name Sean McVay didn’t mention in that group is Puka Nacua."
Also, Nucua only needs 29yrds to break a rookie record. McVay has said that he will pull Nucua out once he breaks the record.
This news gives more credence for Shanahan sitting many Starters. I look for a low scoring game on Sunday with either team pulling out a close win.
I wonder if McVay would prefer the Cowboys over the Lions and wouldn't mind losing this game?
ReplyDeleteI believe the Lions are a bigger threat than the C'boys. Detroit was mollywopped by the Ravens and had some embarrassing loses to the Packers and the Bears. They may have been robbed from a win against the Boy's on a bad call, but that's done and over. The Rams are a trending team at the right time which could make them the surprise team entering postseason, imho.
ReplyDeleteContinue...
DeleteThe Boy's have become a liability in the playoffs. They seem to find ways to lose. Detroit may become the darlings of the playoffs because it's been so long since they've been there. Detroit is uber hungry right now. But, when the dust settles, I believe it will be the Eagles v. 49ers for a SB run.
There is only one team in the NFC that scares me and that is the Rams. The only way the Eagles, Cowboys and the Lions beat the 9ers is if BP completely s***s the bed. imho
ReplyDeleteOuch! That's not the scenario that I want to see. But if the 49ers quickly fall a couple of scores down in the playoffs, I'd have to admit that I would be very nervous about their chances.
DeleteI wouldn't say they are the only team that gives me pause, but yeah, I too think they're a threat.
DeleteWe were down multiple scores against the Rams when Jimmy G was qb, why would you be worried when we have a franchise qb? That was the game when McVay ran down into the endzone like a giddy school girl dancing like a fool!
DeleteYea, Detroit will be playing with house money. Nothing to lose since they haven't been taken seriously for decades.
ReplyDeleteAlso, after the soul sapping loss last Sunday, they will play with the "us against the world" attitude going forward. Detroit is no joke!
ReplyDeleteI'm convinced Verrett must have some voodoo curse put on him.
ReplyDeleteWhen healthy, he's a very good player. Rotater cuff surgery may precipitate retirement. Hate to see a player that works so hard knocked down by injuries.
ReplyDeleteWish Verrett a speedy and healthy recovery.
If Verrett is done I can see him as a DB coach for the Niners in his future.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a long way off but the long term weather forecast predicts heavy rain in Santa Clara during the weekend of the 20th. More than anything else playing in heavy rain is the one question that BP hasn't been able to answer yet. Lets all pray for good weather on the 19th or 20th.
ReplyDelete49ers interior lines (Off/Def) will need to win the game if there's a heavy rain.
ReplyDeleteThe weather man can't accurately predict the weather a week in advance and you';re looking 3 weeks out?
ReplyDeleteRazor,
DeleteIt is an El Nino year out here, it generally pours in Jan.
With no bearing on 49ers current #1 seed position, I have little interest in breaking the game down. So I put together a "WATCH LIST" of players the 9ers may draft in the 2024 draft.
ReplyDeleteRD #1
EDGE Jack Sawyer Ohio St.
WR Rome Odunze Washington
OT Jordan Morgan Arizona
CB Denzel Burke Ohio St.
LB Jeremiah Trotter Clemson
Rd #2
OT Zion Nelson Miami Fl
CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
WR Xavier Legette S. Carolina
RB Treveyon Henderson Ohio St.
TE Cade Stower Ohio St.
S Rod Moore Michigan
EDGE Princely Umanmielen Florida
RD #3
OT Javon Foster Missouri
OT Christian Jones Texas
OG Zak Frazier Michigan
EDGE Adish Isaac Penn St.
RB Jonathen Brooks Texas
C/OG Zach Frazier W. Virgiania
GEEP,
DeleteNice work. The one thing that is a question for me is, TE Cade Stower.
The 49ers drafted two TEs last year that are still under development. I like a blue-chip OL in the 1st rd. And WR in the 2nd rd. Edge in the 3rd. After the rd 3, best athletes available.
AES
DeleteRE TE Cade Stover Scouting Report:
https://www.draftbuzz.com > player > cade stover
* He's 6' 4" X 251 and 40 = 4.55s
* As a senior in 2023 he played 11 games, had 41 catches for 576 yards for an average of 14.0 yards per catch, 5 TDs, and an excellent QB rating when targeted of 138.2. In pass protection. He gave up one pressure and no sacks.
2024 WATCH LIST CONTINUED
ReplyDeleteRD #4
DT T'vondre Sweat Texas
OT Matt Concalves Pittsburg
CB Kamal Hadden Tenn
CB Khyree Jackson Oregon
WR Jermaine Burton Alabama
IOL Dylan McMahon N. Carolina St.
OC Sedrick Van Pran Georgia
DL Darius Robinson Missouri
RD #5
OT Kiran Amegadjie Missouri
OG Ajani Cornelius Oregon
OG Tate Rattledge Georgia
RB Trey Benson Florida St.
TE Sinnott Kansas St.
LB/EDGE Chris Braswell Alabama
S James Williams Miami Fl
RD #6
DL Darius Robinson Missouri
EDGE Chris Braswell
LB/EDGE Javon Soloman Troy
TE Theo Johnson Penn St.
LB Payton Wilson N. Carolina St.
RB Jalen Wright Tennessee
RD #7
OC Delmar Caze Maryland
DT DeMonte Capehart Clemson
TE Bryson Nesbit N. Carolina
*As we all know, this list will change so feel free to add or remove players you think should, or shouldn't be on the list.
.
Geep,
DeleteThe 9ers had 9 picks in last years draft, all of them made the team (Latu IR) Only Bell, Brown and Moody have played from scrimmage except for garbage time. I don't see many open spots on the 2024 roster. Do you see them bundling a number of those picks and 25 picks to move up in the draft?
Old Coach
Delete* As we both know, there will be many changes as to who and where players are drafted, so to answer your question,
* Yes, I agree with your basic premise that..... A) "I don't see many open spots on the 9ers 2024 roster."
B) Yes, they may bundle picks to move up in the draft.
* This was merely an attempt on my part to
1) Identify players that fit the 9er system and The FO may have an interest in drafting. And
2) Compile a list of players to follow thru the Bowl games,
including the Senior bowl, the combine and their pro day...
Question for you: Do you believe the 9ers weakest group is
the O-Line? Other than TW, the O-line is rated 28th in the
NFL at pass protecting the QB. That, IMO, is a receipt for a
disaster if BP is injured next season because the O-line fails
to protect him. Also, how long is TW going to play before he
retires?
* I've listed OT's in every round, as well as a couple of OG
that I believe could offer competition to McKivitz, Banks and Burford as well as a future replacement for TW when he hangs up his cleats.
* Also, looking forward to next season, the 9ers may lose
Jennings, Chase Young, Dre Greenlaw and not be able to
afford to keep Aiyuk due to salary cap?
d to identify
Geep,
DeleteI also believe that the O line along with depth at DT are the teams 2 biggest weaknesses. I wonder which is the best way to go in replacing the O line. #1 quantity IE drafting any number of O linemen. #2 quality IE trading up for better candidates but having less picks.
OldCoach
DeleteNormally, I would agree to trade up for a quality OT to replace TW. But OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon St. is pick #18. The trade value chart says 900 points and that would, at a minimum, cost the 9ers their 1st, 2nd and at least a 3rd Rd pick. OT Amarius Mims, Georgia is at pick #13 and the chart says 1150 points. That would, at a minimum, cost the 9ers a 1st, 2nd, both 3rd
Rd and likely both 4th rd. picks! Unless they drop down the
draft board, I don't see the 9ers doing that trade and that assumes the 9ers don't go EDGE, to replace Young? That's
been their MO in the past.
They'll still need to find cheap (draft) back up D linemen and
back up CB's. So the salary cap is going to become a problem?
* Paraag Marathe may come up with a contract that keeps both
Young and Aiyuk, but would mean they're willing to accept big
cash bonus payments up front and maybe some back loading?
But then the 1000 pound elephant in the room is when they have to pay BP! TW will likely retire by then, so maybe that is
how it works out? How do you see it playing out?
As far as the salary cap goes, I wonder if players are going to learn from Ohtani. Take minimum money while playing and take the major part of their contracts after they have retired and have moved out of Ca. saving as much as 12%. It seems like a win/win. The players saves 12% and the team pays off most of the contract when the cap has gone way up.
DeleteI think the best approach to addressing the OL is a bit of both. Take one early, but also go quantity with multiple picks.
DeleteScooter
DeleteIn a perfect world the 9ers draft OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon St.
Unfortunately, I don't see the 9ers giving up the draft picks it would require to move up to trade for him.
Question: How are you with OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona in
the 1st Rd and OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale in the 5th Rd?
I didn't included Amegadjie, but I'm adding him to the list.
Interesting move to place Dwelley on IR. He's now out until the Super Bowl. Juice is sick now so we might see a lot of Willis. McNichols up over TDP again, along with Hawkins.
ReplyDeleteI think they double dip at OL like they did TE last year. Day 2 and Day 3.
Razor
DeleteIf the 9er draft OL day 2 and 3, what position do the 9ers draft
Rd #1....EDGE?
DT or Edge
DeleteOld Coach
ReplyDeleteRE: " DT are the teams 2 biggest weaknesses." Try using https://www.draftbuzz.com > player > T'Vondre Sweat
https://www.draftbuzz.com > player > McKinnley Jackson
These two D-Linemen, IMO, should help fill the 9ers 2nd biggest weakness, at least for short yardage?
Two out of three CBS NFL draft analysts have the 49ers taking BYU OL, Kingsley Suamatia with their 1st pick. Of course, what the 49ers do could be totally different than what all the pundits say. But, I'm not surprised that even outsiders see the Oline as an area to address.
ReplyDeleteAES
DeleteRE BYU OL Kingsley Suamatia.
I like his 40 time (5.1s). Looks like a good fit for 9ers ZBS, but only has 2 years experience. IMO, he'll require NFL coaching and time working out in the gym to get stronger to be able to deliver a punch and avoid letting pass rushers get into his body. .Suamataia is going to have some difficulty if he’s asked to block on an island early on.
Scouting Report weaknesses:
As a pass protector, Suamataia gets caught reaching and lunging when matched up against quickness.
Needs to improve the coordination of his hands and feet. Sometimes loses balance in the run game, lunging into contact rather than sinking his hips and delivering a block.
Nothing that a year of coaching can't fix.
I think Suamataia could possibly drop to the mid 2nd rd due to his NFL learning curve that will likely take two years. He plays LT and once he corrects his hands and better balance, he might be worth the wait. The kid was a 5 star recruit out of high school with great athleticism and high potential. Maybe the 49ers can trade up for a high 2nd rd pick to grab.
Delete