Lately it occurs to me what a long strange trip its been. It's like waking up on Christmas Morning. I can only imagine what its like for the players. Shanny has the best team he's ever had with a chance to cement his legacy against the best of the best in Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid. Since Kyle Shanahan took over as the HC of the #49ers, he is 6-0 in playoff games where he is favored. The #49ers are currently 2 point favorites vs the #Chiefs
in the Super Bowl on @BovadaOfficial. Only one SB winner in the last 20 years scored less points than KC did this season (PIT in 2008).
Greetings to all.
ReplyDeleteMy theory about what happened in the last two games is that the bye week took away their edge, the players swallowed the hype of how good they were, and it took Detroit's H1 pummeling to wake them up. If my theory is correct, the second half was the intro to what is become.
Go 49ers!
I agree that the Niners offense has the momentum over the Chiefs.
DeleteThis feels like a 'must have' SB for the 49ers to me. They've gotten so close the past few seasons, and it takes a mental toll. The roster is about as strong as its ever going to be. If they don't do it today, not sure this core of players ever will.
ReplyDeleteI agree Scooter. We may see many of today's players gone next year. On defense, Chase Young needs to step-up big time today if he sticks next season. Has Kinlaw done enough in the playoffs to earn a roster spot in 2024? On offense, players like Aiyuk will demand a big bag. Will the current OL stay intact?
ReplyDeleteObviously, these are items that will discussed after the SB. So, for now it's about winning the Superbowl.
Yeah, players come and go but I am more referring to the core of star players the team is built around. Not sure how much longer guys like Williams, Kittle, CMC and Deebo will be around and still at their peak.
DeleteMiss out again this year and it's hard mentally to come back for another shot next year. And not sure these guys have a lot of shots left.
Last night a thought came to mind. So, here's my dream scenario for today. I, don't speak for anyone else. But, I'm tired of the NFL TV networks showing Taylor Swift in every Chiefs game.
ReplyDeleteSo, here's my dream scenario: Kelce drops a possible winning TD in the endzone and the camera's focus on Swift- then hear relentless booing from Chiefs fans, that carry over to next season.
Yeah, I'm crazy like that! lol
49ers inactives for the Super Bowl:
ReplyDeleteOL Matt Pryor
WR Ronnie Bell
LB Jalen Graham
DT T.Y. McGill
DE Alex Barrett
CB Samuel Womack III
Love seeing Kyle go for it on 4th and 3 in the red zone there. In Brock he trusts.
ReplyDeleteWell this is stressful
ReplyDeleteVery stressful
DeleteOkay.its up to the defense now.
ReplyDeleteWell that sucks. In the end just didn't do enough with the ball. But man, Spags D is tough.
ReplyDeleteKyle and Jed now "boast" a 0-3 SB record. Hurrah! Have been criticized on this blog & PD's for saying KS would never win a SB while with the Niners. But he hasn't and he won't. He's a perennial SB loser, and nothing's ever going to change that. He always finds a way to muck things up. By 49ersUnderKSraBust
ReplyDeleteThere's only one perennial loser here...
DeleteNo one gives a crap about your idiotic comments.
DeleteShanahan is the most influential coach of his generation. But, yes, he's also a loser. He's now blown three different double-digit leads in three different Super Bowls and lost the only two overtime Super Bowls ever. A dubious record at best. What I find most damning though is that his players, Armistead and Juryscyk among them, did not know or understand the new overtime rules, according to ESPN pundits who are roundly criticizing Kyle's play calling this morning. There needs to be some serious soul searching about this guy and his game day decisions on this and other blogs. He's been given a pass for far too long. (This is from Gary, formerly on PD blog)
DeleteKS didn’t fumble a ball, he didn’t cause the turnover on special teams, he didn’t commit a penalty. He also didn’t score a touchdown, or get any rushing yards. The players are the ones who win or loose games. Obviously you understanding of football is very limited.
DeleteYet again, Mahomes is the difference on offense and Chris Jones on defense. If not for Jones, Purdy would have made 3-4 key passes, a couple may for TDs.
ReplyDeleteIf not for the poor OL play or OL protection schemes, Purdy would have 3-4 key passes. Our DL played great in the first half yesterday, yet it didn't seem to me that they got to Mahomes (even without Mahomes running around) as quickly as Jones got to Purdy. I attribute that to marginally better OL play by the Chiefs - which is maybe all Purdy would have needed.
DeleteAgree.
DeleteOh crap i'm getting too old for these kind of finishes. A couple of insights: The better QB won. BP is pretty damn good but hopefully this game will put to rest the BP/ Montana comparisons. Like Jimmy G in their last SB BP had 2 wide open deep shots and over threw the receivers both times. KS deserves some criticism too. He didn't run the ball enough in the first half and went completely away from the run in the first 2 possessions of the 2nd half. Well theres always next year, we have BP under his rookie contract for one more season.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tough one to swallow. But, what hurts the most is that now the 49ers are 5-3 in the SB, where at one point they were 5-0. Patrick Mahomes has become the Michael Jordan of Football. There were great basketball teams in the 80's that couldn't knock off the Bulls because of MJ. Mahomes is the difference.
ReplyDeleteThis sucks..... but we went toe-to-toe with Mahomes/Reid/Spags and lost in overtime. No shame in a loss like this, unlike the one in 2019. Tip of Hat to Mahomes, Reid and Spags. Better team/play-calling won.
ReplyDeleteWe had to overcome so many obstacles.... Losing Dre Greenlaw, CMC Fumble, Special Teams Turnover, Missed XP from Moody, Hard to understand play-calling in the 3rd Q and Purdy missing a few throws. Still Purdy had a decent game.
Major Offseason Needs - Let Chase Young and Randy Gregory Walk. Trade Aiyuk. Sign Jennings. Upgrade D-Line/O-line in Draft and FA. If there is one coach I would change, it is probably Schneider on ST. IMHO, that turnover on ST was the difference in the game.
I hope everyone on the 53 roster and all the coaches take some time off and do a deep introspection. We will be back stronger next year.
Go Niners!
I think Jennings deserves a contract. Time after time in big games he makes tough plays (one handed catches, etc.). Now maybe some of that is because the opposing D is focusing on Deebo, but Jennings has made tough catches while the opposing D is all over him. With regards to Deebo he has tended to disappear in big games this year. I'd be okay with trading him and using what would hopefully be some savings to shore up the OL. That was one of the biggest problems yesterday. Purdy had Jones in his grill in less than one second or so multiple times, which is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteThis loss comes down to one simple conclusion - Patrick Mahomes.
ReplyDeleteAfter a little time to reflect I have come to the conclusion that the 9ers lost because of the outcome of 3 plays. They didn't need all 3 to swing their way to reverse the outcome if any one of those plays had gone another way they likely would have won. Those plays were, in order of importance #1 Darrell Luter not clearing out of the area and being struck by the punt. #2 CMCs fumble in the first quarter #3 Moodys blocked extra point. Anyone of those plays go the 9ers way and we are celebrating today but as me dear sainted Mother used to say if, if ands and butts were......
ReplyDeleteYou're overlooking Shanahan's decision making in, on overtime. A number of Niners are now saying they did not know, understand the new overtime rules and how overtime should, should not be played. Reid's team on the other had had actually been practicing the new overtime scenarios since the start of the season. As I said above, KS planning, decision-making in tense, big-time games like the SB has consistently been put to the test and fallen short. We need to stop giving him a pass. (This is Gary from old PD blog)
DeleteOC, I put it down to one play at crunch time. The CMC run for a loss in the red zone with 2 minutes left. That stop by the Chiefs literally saved the game for them.
DeleteCoach,
ReplyDeletePurdy didn't fare well against the blitz either. He was 3 of 12 against the blitz and was hurried on a pass inside the 12 yrd line causing a miss to Jennings that could have won the game as well.
Also, with Greenlaw and Deebo sustaining leg injuries, I can't help but wonder if having to practice on poor field conditions may have in some way contributed.
But, the plays you mentioned were big factors.
Sober-minded Matt Miller, analyst and writer for ESPN, tweeted that Shanahan thinks too hard in big situations:
ReplyDelete“Niners need to… 1. Fix OL 2. Fix CB2 3. Hire someone Kyle trusts in big moments to remind him of the team’s strengths–way too much galaxy braining in crucial situations.”
I felt that rather then settling for a FG on 4th and 4, in overtime, Shanahan should have gone for it. I know that's Monday morning quarterbacking on my part. But, if you're going to beat Mahomes/Reid, thinking out of the and taking risk might be the formula for victory.
ReplyDeleteAt the time I was thinking the same thing. Can't settle for another FG. Taking it a step further, they should have seen the 3rd down before it as 4-down territory, and maybe run the ball again. Though given how the DT (Jones?) burst through that 3rd down he might have had a tackle for loss if it was a run.
DeleteLots of what ifs. End of the day the play I outlined above in response to OC is the one I think cost the game. Not saying it was a bad call per se, just the outcome of the game if that play worked would have almost certainly been a 49ers win.
I hear you, Scooter. But, I can't help to feel that there were a few lost chances to score in last night's game.
ReplyDeleteI'm really disappointed in the loss because I had convinced myself that this was the 49ers time. Looks like I'll have to postpone that for next season.
Now, it's on to the draft and post season comings and goings.
DeleteThere were. The Chiefs will feel exactly the same though.
DeleteBut that play (and the one after) was the 49ers chance to put it away. Get a new set of downs there (and they had 2 plays to do it - it was 2nd down) and you can almost run out the clock. The game was in their hands at that time, but they let it slip and gave Mahomes time to get a FG to tie.
You're right, Scooter. The hurried overthrown pass from Purdy to Jauan in the endzone in overtime could have locked it up as well.
DeleteThat was a failure in execution by the right side of the OL. Very frustrating.
DeleteBut Mahomes would still have had the same opportunity to lead a TD drive after that. Just wouldn't have been the ballgame.
While there is at least one poster that will blame this on Shanahan, for mine this was a game about execution in key moments.
ReplyDeleteBoth teams had their struggles on offense with miscues (and one on STs for the 49ers), while both defenses made a lot of big plays. But when it mattered at the end, the 49ers OL/ blocking made some errors while the Chiefs D made plays, and Mahomes was Mahomes.
I, wouldn't give any attention to this guy. It's hard to give credibility to someone that always speaks from a place of negativity.
ReplyDeleteThe 49ers traditionally sign one big FA (from another team) Any guesses what position that signing will be? My guess is CB or S. Also with Greenlaw likely to miss a chunk of next season and the chance of his returning to his prior playing level being slim, They may need a ILB. Burks looked weak last night and both Winters and Graham didn't impress this year. I don't see them signing a DE they are too expensive in free agency. I think they could add a run stuffing DT in free agency at not too high a price.
ReplyDeleteI think they'll add either a NCB or outside CB in FA capable of starting, depending on what they want to do with Demo.
DeleteAnd yeah, I can see them adding a run stuffing DT as well - to replace Kinlaw.
In terms of a big ticket addition though... I wouldn't rule out an OL or DE.
Coach,
DeleteI would to see the 49ers give a DE strong consideration. In the playoffs, the 49ers only had 5 total sacks. Against GB, they had zero sacks. Against Lions, they had 2. And, against the Chiefs they had 3 sacks with Bosa getting none.
C.Young is not the answer and Gregory will move on. At this point, the 49ers only have Jackson and Beal as possible replacements. Can't count on Jackson having a major turnaround and Beal is still very green.
Do the 49ers make a play at Hassin Reddick?
AES,
DeleteI don't see the 9ers having cap issues this season but if the majority of the posters here are correct and the 9ers pay BP franchise QB money they will have major cap issues starting in 25. For that reason I don't see them signing a big name pass rusher. I see them signing a FA at a position group that traditionally doesn't get the huge money. Behind only QBs, pass rushers break the bank. I see them signing a top player at a position that wont break the bank. Like nickle back, RT or ILB. As far as the DE position goes I think they could resign C. Ferrell especially with him coming off of an injury, then drafting a couple pass rushing DEs to compete with Beal.
It is going to be very difficult to get back to the NFCCG again. After we lost the Superbowl in 2019, we started that Stupid Revenge Tour BS and with injuries didn't even make the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteEagles got lost this year after making last year's SB. The Superbowl hangover is real (except for Chiefs apparently).
I wish we take this opportunity to reload from costly vets and bring hungrier role players. We have 11 draft picks...make it count, we can't keep redshirting rookies, that is not sustainable.
Mug,
DeleteThey have 11 picks in this years draft and 6 players from last years draft who were either on IR or played primarily on STs. With one camp under their belt and a full off season in the weight room it will be interesting to see if Latu, Luter, Beal, Winters, Willis or Graham will be ready to take that second year jump like Hufanga did.
Yes Old coach. We have a good core set of young players from last year's draft and this years (hopefully).
DeleteBut the question is, will Shanahan play them and give them game reps? Case in point Jordan Mason. We all felt that Mason is better than Mitchell, but for the life of me, I can't understand why Mason doesn't get carries.
Mug,
DeleteI really like both Mason and Mitchell. Mitchell just has a hard time staying healthy but so did Mostert and look at him now. For the life of me I can't figure out why KS doesn't use either back, just to keep CMC healthy and rested.
If Williams returns I could see them signing a RT they are generally not too expensive. Then they could move McKivitz inside to RG and improve 2 spots with one move.
ReplyDeleteTHINKING OUT LOUD:
ReplyDelete* Difference between a 9er W and a L the SB: Turnovers and penalties
* Possible 2024 9er 4 Rd draft picks....Pre Combine
RD #1) OT Amarius Mims or CB Terrion Arnold
RD #2) DT TVondre Sweat or EDGE Adisa Isaac
RD #3) CB TJ Tampa or CB Khyree Jackson
TE Ben Sinnott or LB Edgerrin Cooper
RD #4) OT Kiran Amegadjie or LB Tyrice Knight
WR Brandon Rice or RB Trey Benson
Geep,
ReplyDeleteWhat position do you think they will sign in free agency?
OldCoach
DeleteThe position(s) the 9ers sign in free agency will, IMO, depend on several factors.
* First factor being, what's the adjusted salary cap for 2024? I don't know if these numbers are correct, but what I found on Google.
"The 9ers have the league's third largest adjusted salary cap at $237,520,268. It's a function of the 49ers carrying over $5,238,795 of cap room and getting a $7,481,473 salary cap credit from incentives classified as likely to be earned not being achieved."
The projected NFL 2024 salary cap is between $240 Mil and
$245 Mil. That leaves between a little under $2.5 Mil and
$7.5 Mil.
* The 2nd factor is the 9ers UFA(s). Who can they afford to keep and how will the 9ers replace the positions they let walk away? In the draft, or by signing a free agent?
9er RFA I'd like to see them try to resign at a reasonable price:
Kinlaw, Ferrell, Givens, Feliciano, Ray Ray McCloud, Woerner,
Conley and RFA Jennings.
* The 3rd factor is, will the 9ers rework any player contracts? If so, which player(s) and for how much?
* The 4th factor is will the 9ers pick up Aiyuk's 5th year option
and a new contract for CB Lenoir?
Also, WR Jauan Jennins is a RFA. Will the 9ers give him a 2nd
round tender and right of first refusal?
Free agents I would like to see the 9ers try to sign, if they can
but I doubt they can afford them.
EDGE: Danielle Hunter or Za'Darius Smith
CB: Jaylon Johnson or L'Jarius Sneed.
* 9er RT McKivitz has, IMO, been a disappointment and RG Burford has often been a liability.
Free agent OG: Dalton Risner, Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Graham Glasgow
Free agent OT: Jermaine Eluemunor and former 1st RD draft pick, Jonah Williams made the switch from left to RT
Could next years #2 QB be the recently released M. Trubisky? He would probably take a team friendly deal to play a year under Shanahan and Griese.
ReplyDeleteOne guy I think the 49ers should (and probably will) look at in FA is Emmanuel Moseley. He's had a rough couple of years with knee injuries, but that means he shouldn't cost much. And we know he suits the scheme.
ReplyDeleteShould the 49ers kick the tires on Haasan Reddick. It sounds like they could get him for a 2nd and a 5th. He is due 15 mill this coming year but is looking for a big money extension some where in the 25 mill range. Is he worth those 2 picks for a one year rental? would he be interested in playing for the 9ers for one season without an extension? Its a gamble on his part, if he gets injured there goes his big money extension. He is a stand up rusher, would he fit the wide 9 scheme?
ReplyDeleteLets just say I wouldn't be mad if they made that move. I doubt they will, but he'd be a nice addition.
DeleteNot sure if the finances will be palatable though.
Danielle Hunter is another Edge the 49ers should look at.
ReplyDeleteAES,
DeleteHunter is very good and would be a good fit for the wide 9 but he is going to cost over 20 mill for 3 or 4 years. They have to sign or trade Aiyuk and the next year give BP L. Jackson money, I don't think they can afford Hunter. Reddick would be a one year rental for 15 mill. I'm just not sure if he fits in the wide 9.
AES
DeleteBoth Hunter and IMO, Za'Darius Smith.
OldCoach
ReplyDelete* Riddick is due $16 Mil in salary and bonuses for 2024. With 11 sacks this season he's worth the money! But can the 9ers afford to pay him and still keep Aiyuk? I would prefer the 9ers save the money and draft picks, by picking EDGE Adisa Isaac in the 2nd RD?
* Arizona HC Gannon served as Reddick's DC with the Eagles in 2022. The results? Riddick had a career-high16.0 sacks. .
I would expect Washington and Detroit to also be interested.
* Per Spotrac, The Eagles will owe Riddick a roster bonus of $1 mil.
on March 15th. That will likely act as a deadline for the Eagles, if they want to trade, or decide to keep him?
The reason Reddick makes sense over a guy like Hunter is that he has that 1 year contract in place. Can then restructure to push some to next year, without needing to break the bank.
DeleteHunter will get big money, long term deal.
Smith could be an option, but he's been on the market a few times and the 49ers haven't seemed to show much interest before.
The biggest question the 49ers FO will have to answer is whether to go all in or not. And if not, when to start the reload.
ReplyDeleteThey pushed a lot of cap space to this year for a reason. It will allow them to go all in if they want to, with a few more restructures. But at some point they will need to pay the piper.
Brandon Aiyuk and his brother went on social media today strongly hinting that he wants out of San Francisco. He again hinted that he was not happy with the limited times he was thrown the ball Sunday. Most who read his posts said they couldn't tell whether he was angry at KS for not calling his number or BP for not choosing to throw him the ball.
ReplyDeleteMoney talks. But tbh I think this is a relationship that will end in a trade this offseason - BA is really good but he's not worth $20M+ in this offense.
DeleteIf anyone should be mad for lack of receptions it's Kittle. But, he's about the team and not his stats. Deebo was using SM last summer as well to voice his issues. Plus, as good as Deebo is, he seems to disappear when he's needed the most. I like Aiyuk a lot, but if thinks he's better than the team, I say, good ridden, and welcome Riddick.
ReplyDeleteGenerally you only hear players complain before they get their first big contract after their rookie contract. Kittle held out and got the richest TE contract in the league. Deebo held out and got a huge contract. I think Aiyuk is a little different. I don't think the 9ers will give him top a top 5 contract because his numbers don't add up but i'm sure Aiyuk believes that if he was with another team he would have top 5 numbers.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteI think the 49ers could get good enough production from a guy like Darnell Mooney playing the Aiyuk role, at a lot lower price.
Scooter,
DeleteI think you under value Aiyuk. I'm not saying that they should give him a 5 year 100 mill contract, that would likely destroy the cap especially after signing BP. Aiyuk has A+ hands and might just be a top 5 route runner. Nothing Mooney has done has shown me that he is that level of a WR. I'm curious what kind of money do you think BP is worth? Is he worth Burrows,Mahomes, Herbert and Jackson money?
When you find a good QB you keep him. He'll get paid at or close to top of the market dollars, and the 49ers will pay it. They have to. On the plus side, he can't negotiate a new deal until end of next season, and it usually takes a couple of years into a new deal before you hit the really big cap hits, so they still have around 3 years of a fairly cost controlled QB.
DeleteAs for Aiyuk, I don't underrate the player. He's very good. But I don't think they need a player of quite his calibre in the role they ask of him.
Mooney is pretty darn good too imo. Not BA level certainly, but still good. He's just been hurt by injury and the offense he's in the past two years.
I'd love to keep BA, but cap conscious me thinks if you get a 1st for him in trade, add a guy like Mooney, and draft a WR in one of the early rounds, it might be a better option long term.
Scooter
Delete* RE Darnell Mooney: Getting his 2022 season cut short by injury was one thing, but coming back with a career-worst season is a red flag problem for me. Last year Mooney had 11 games when he made two receptions or less!
At 5' 11" X 173 Lbs can Mooney stay healthy?
* His 2023 Production: 31 catches, 61 targets, 1 TD, 13.4 ypc, 50.8% catch/target.
* Spotrac says Mooney's Market Value is $10.4 million p/y Pro Football Focus projects him value at $9 million p/y
Mooney is an excellent route runner that needs to be in a timing based offense. Bad fit with Fields at QB. The Bears based their passing game around getting Moore in space and Kmet as the outlet, which basically meant Mooney was phased out.
DeleteAs a relatively cheap option to replace BA they could do a lot worse imo.
Scooter
DeleteYea, that's true and as usual, you make excellent arguments!
But Mooney is NOT worth $10 Mil p/y and I'm not convinced he can stay healthy. If the 9ers signed him to a 1 year, prove it
contract, for ~$4 Mil and $2 to $3 mil performance incentives. then used him as Z receiver off the LOS, OK I'll buy in.
Yes, I would only be adding him to a 1-2 year contract, and he would have to be under $10M a year for me to consider it. I don't think $3-$4M gets it done, but a 2 year, $8M a year deal I could live with.
DeleteThe idea would be to draft a guy pretty early that could take over in a year or two, and in the interim be handy depth.
Scooter
DeleteCheck out Bendon Rice, WR USC
https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Brenden-Rice-WR-Colorado
I'll check him out.
DeleteTbh I have not looked at any draft prospects as yet.
Mooney gives me pause for a couple of reason's.
ReplyDelete1. We still have Gray and Bell who need a shot once they're healthy.
2. Mooney doesn't have the typical 49ers size measurements. At 5' 11" and 174 lbs. Unless he has 4.3 speed, he could be one hit away from spending substantial time on IR.
4.38s 40 yard time.
DeleteThat's very nice speed. Can't hit somone they can't catch.
ReplyDeleteThe more tape I watch, the better I like WR Brenden Rice, WR, USC. Bigger, stronger and faster than Aiyuk and his lineage
Deleteis there!
CBSSPORTS has him listed at # 105. (3Rd round of the draft). https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Brenden-Rice-WR-Colorado
Geep,
DeleteI also have come to love Frank Gore Jr. He seems to be moving up draft boards and if he runs a good 40 at the combine he probably will go to high for the 9ers to draft an RB
OldCoach
DeleteIMO, Frank Gore Jr hasn't received much publicity because he is 1 of several RB's that are similar in size and stats. (5" 7" X 199 and 4.5s 40). No one stands out from the others, except at the East-West Bowl, where Gore was named MVP! He got a chance to show his ability as a smart between the tackle runner, who plays low to the ground and create more yards after a catch than his frame suggest. His 49-yard run also helped put him in the conversation for day 3 and should get
him an invitation to the Combine?
I wonder how good Jauan Jennings could be if he started on the outside. I realize he doesn't have the typical speed an outside WR has but neither did Anquan Boldin
ReplyDeleteScooter,
ReplyDeleteI feel more confidence in BP than I did at the beginning of this season but I still don't put him at the Burrows/Mahomes/Allen/Herbet level. I just don't think he is worth over 50 mill a year. More like 30 to 35 mill but I think they will have to pay at least 50 to sign him. I hope he can convince me next year that he is worth the real big contract.
I don't think he's in that calibre yet, but I think he's on a trajectory to be around that calibre (albeit a different type of QB). So easy to forget he's only played 2 seasons in the NFL.
DeleteRegardless, if he has another season like this next season, he'll get paid a lot of money.
FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED:
ReplyDeleteFull list of prospects invited to 2024 NFL Scouting Combine
https://www.nfl.com/news/full-list-of-prospects-invited-to-2024-nfl-scouting-combine
Question for the group... Will we better with McVay as coach or having Shanahan as HC? McVay has gone to 2 SBs and won 1. KS perennially seems to overthink in the big moment.
ReplyDeleteWas arguing with a buddy on this, wanna know what you'll think.
McVay will be looking for QB to replace Stafford in the next couple of years. Shanahan has his QB for the next 10+ years. I'm sticking with Shanahan. Reid was also coming close to SBs until Mahomes. Kyle will get his.
DeleteWell, McVay had Goff, went to a SB with him, knew he wouldn't cut it and pivoted to Stafford....and won a SB.
DeleteAre we sure McVay can't do the same again? McVay is a better QB developer than KS. Heck, he revitalized Baker's career and Kirk Cousins is on record saying that he owes his career to McVay.
McVay is adaptable....anyone who watched KS in his 3 SBs knows he is not adaptable.
So I'm really not sure. One the one hand, I'm KS's most ardent supporters and say we should lock him up for the next 20 years, but on the other hand, it's the same crap over and over again with him.
Pivotal season coming up in 2024.
Shanahan gets a pass from me, because he's gone up against the best QB on the planet. McVay lost his SB to another great QB - Tom Brady.
DeleteSchefter tweeted that Wilks is out. 49ers scheduled a KS conference call at noon today.
ReplyDeleteSteve Wilks has been fired.
ReplyDeleteBig call. Obviously there were some issues, but he's still a pretty good DC. Going to be interesting to see who they replace him with, and whether it will be an improvement.
Shanahan also stated he wants to retain the system, which adds another layer of complexity in finding someone for the job.
I would point out that both Saleh and Ryans were better and they had no top level coaching experience. We can do better than Wilks.
DeleteBoth Saleh and Ryans had their struggles the first season as DC. And they both knew the system. Tough ask on a coach to come in and run someone else's system.
DeleteAs "bad" as Wilks was, the 49ers D remained one of the best in the NFL under him.
Is it the D remained one of the best in the NFL under him or in spite of him. I'll bet that zero coverage call in the SB that KS had to override was the straw that finally broke the camel's back. I don't recall Ryans struggling too much. I always thought he was better than Saleh.
DeleteYeah, there were obviously some issues throughout the year, and that call plus a few others at the end of the game pushed Shanahan to make the move.
DeleteBut I think it's unfair to say he's bad. The D played pretty well most of the year. Just wasn't dominant, had some bad lapses.
Whoever takes over has to get the DL dominating again.
What was Kocurek's role or lack thereof in the decline of the DL?
DeleteEnd of the day, as the DL coach he isn't responsible for scheme.
DeleteThe DL has been on the decline since 2019, but Ryans scheme found ways to get production. This for mine was the key failing of Wilks.
Who do you like as a replacement, Scooter? There's a couple form HCs that are defensively minded available. Vrabel, Belichick, Carroll.
ReplyDeleteWhoever takes over will likely come from a 4-3 background that has experience in a similar system.
DeleteI've seen Staley getting mentioned.
Brendan Daly's resume is intriguing.
DeleteI would like to see Ferrell signed, but this year is pretty short on FA list, it is NEXT year that will become an issue. As such, I would also look to extend Ward and Lenoir this offseason.....Personally, I trade Aiyuk due to the $. Tough game...... I believe they'll be better next yr, but tough to not capitalize on the opportunity.
ReplyDelete