Official 49ers Thread

[Sizzle]

Aldon Smith, Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis are all out tonight -- at least Vernon Davis and Willis are questionable.

Time to think about tanking for Clowney/Bridgewater. Good hell, what a disaster.

Three games and you're giving up on Kaepernick? Especially when in one of them he threw for 400 yards?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Three games and you're giving up on Kaepernick? Especially when in one of them he threw for 400 yards?

Kaepernick looked truly awful against the Colts. Looking bad against the Seahawks when you can't audible or even do a snap count is one thing, but that Colts game was profoundly disappointing.

The game last night seems to indicate that he missed Vernon Davis quite a bit. But that's a flaw in his game, at least for right now, and it's not uncommon for a young QB to rely too much on one or even two guys. We've seen last year and this year that he overly relies on one receiver at times. Last year it was Crabtree and then he started trusting Vernon Davis in the playoffs. Last night he was still looking for Anquan Boldin too much.

I liked how they put Baldwin into the lineup. Moore was doing nothing and they deactivated him. Kyle Williams has to be the worst #2 receiver in the league. Baldwin getting a couple catches on, I think, only two targets hopefully earns him some trust from Kaepernick. They also need to get McDonald more passes. If the connection between Kaepernick and McDonald and Baldwin can improve, then that's a huge deal because it addresses by far the Niners' biggest weakness. Especially since we haven't heard a thing about Manningham and when he's coming back. And I'm also skeptical of how good Crabtree can be if/when he comes back in December.

All in all, I expected a 2-2 start before the season began, but I also expected a 6-2 start after 8 games. Losing in Seattle was more or less a certainty and I thought they were going to lose this game in St. Louis. Short week, division opponent on the road, had problems with them last year. I just didn't see that loss to the effing Colts, especially a loss by that margin. Being 2-2 this way, with one of the losses to an AFC opponent, is preferable to being 2-2 with two losses to NFC opponents -- and division opponents at that.

I like that they have a long week coming up to play Houston at home (and Houston coming off a game against Seattle). Then I like them the following week against Arizona. I'm not liking that game on the road against the Titans. Jacksonville in London will be easy. 6-2 is still possible, but 5-3 is more reasonable to expect, but 4-4 is unfortunately also a possibility after watching that game against the Colts.

[Sizzle]

Kaepernick looked truly awful against the Colts. Looking bad against the Seahawks when you can't audible or even do a snap count is one thing, but that Colts game was profoundly disappointing.

The game last night seems to indicate that he missed Vernon Davis quite a bit. But that's a flaw in his game, at least for right now, and it's not uncommon for a young QB to rely too much on one or even two guys. We've seen last year and this year that he overly relies on one receiver at times. Last year it was Crabtree and then he started trusting Vernon Davis in the playoffs. Last night he was still looking for Anquan Boldin too much.

I liked how they put Baldwin into the lineup. Moore was doing nothing and they deactivated him. Kyle Williams has to be the worst #2 receiver in the league. Baldwin getting a couple catches on, I think, only two targets hopefully earns him some trust from Kaepernick. They also need to get McDonald more passes. If the connection between Kaepernick and McDonald and Baldwin can improve, then that's a huge deal because it addresses by far the Niners' biggest weakness. Especially since we haven't heard a thing about Manningham and when he's coming back. And I'm also skeptical of how good Crabtree can be if/when he comes back in December.

All in all, I expected a 2-2 start before the season began, but I also expected a 6-2 start after 8 games. Losing in Seattle was more or less a certainty and I thought they were going to lose this game in St. Louis. Short week, division opponent on the road, had problems with them last year. I just didn't see that loss to the effing Colts, especially a loss by that margin. Being 2-2 this way, with one of the losses to an AFC opponent, is preferable to being 2-2 with two losses to NFC opponents -- and division opponents at that.

I like that they have a long week coming up to play Houston at home (and Houston coming off a game against Seattle). Then I like them the following week against Arizona. I'm not liking that game on the road against the Titans. Jacksonville in London will be easy. 6-2 is still possible, but 5-3 is more reasonable to expect, but 4-4 is unfortunately also a possibility after watching that game against the Colts.

The reality is the 49ers have been very lucky the last few years in terms of injuries. They were able to avoid any big time injuries to key performers, and it allowed them to grow together and have some consistency. When Justin Smith got hurt at the end of last year, you saw what it did to the defense. This year, they haven't been as lucky. They lost their #1 WR, the best MLB in football, one of the top pass rushers in football and one of their more versatile weapons in Vernon Davis. Yes, that makes them a lot more one-dimensional than they'd like to be, and teams that can take away the run will have success in beating them. I didn't watch the Indy game, so I really can't comment on that one. But last night you could tell they understood the importance of the game. Bowman stepped up in a big way. Ahmad Brooks had a good game as well. They're going to need to weather the storm of the next few weeks to get guys healthy, but I expect them to make a late season surge. The big game left on the schedule is against Seattle in San Fran.

[BigPiney]

The reality is the 49ers have been very lucky the last few years in terms of injuries. They were able to avoid any big time injuries to key performers, and it allowed them to grow together and have some consistency. When Justin Smith got hurt at the end of last year, you saw what it did to the defense. This year, they haven't been as lucky. They lost their #1 WR, the best MLB in football, one of the top pass rushers in football and one of their more versatile weapons in Vernon Davis. Yes, that makes them a lot more one-dimensional than they'd like to be, and teams that can take away the run will have success in beating them. I didn't watch the Indy game, so I really can't comment on that one. But last night you could tell they understood the importance of the game. Bowman stepped up in a big way. Ahmad Brooks had a good game as well. They're going to need to weather the storm of the next few weeks to get guys healthy, but I expect them to make a late season surge. The big game left on the schedule is against Seattle in San Fran.

When Joe Staley went down in the last minute last night, it looked really bad. Especially with him screaming. Luckily he is fine, but man, they sure dodged a bullet on that one.

Houston at home next week is the only real hard game until that Seattle game. I still think they could use Austin Collie. Williams has been crap as a receiver.

[Sizzle]

When Joe Staley went down in the last minute last night, it looked really bad. Especially with him screaming. Luckily he is fine, but man, they sure dodged a bullet on that one.

Houston at home next week is the only real hard game until that Seattle game. I still think they could use Austin Collie. Williams has been crap as a receiver.

I agree. If Crabtree weren't coming back this year, I think they would have kept him. I still think they should have cut Moore, who hasn't done anything this year, and kept Collie.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

When Joe Staley went down in the last minute last night, it looked really bad. Especially with him screaming. Luckily he is fine, but man, they sure dodged a bullet on that one.

Houston at home next week is the only real hard game until that Seattle game. I still think they could use Austin Collie. Williams has been crap as a receiver.

Given how the Indy game went, I don't really want to say the Houston game is going to be easy. But I will say that I think that Tennessee game on the road will pose a bigger challenge than Houston at home after a long week.

Short weeks suck, but the longer time off after is in equal measure awesome.

[Sizzle]

Donte Whitner changing his name to Donte Hitner.

I like it, except for the first time I read the article, I thought it said "Hitler". I wasn't a fan of that change.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/97...me-hitner-fine

[BigPiney]

Donte Whitner changing his name to Donte Hitner.

I like it, except for the first time I read the article, I thought it said "Hitler". I wasn't a fan of that change.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/97...me-hitner-fine

idiot.

In other news, the Niners released BJ Daniels and less than 12 hours later the seahawks sign him.

[cougjunkie]

idiot.

In other news, the Niners released BJ Daniels and less than 12 hours later the seahawks sign him.

Smart. They didn't sign him to play, they signed him for the trade secrets.

[BigPiney]

Smart. They didn't sign him to play, they signed him for the trade secrets.

sorry I wasn't clear. That is smart and very predictable. The 'idiot' for was Donte and his name change.

[cougjunkie]

Whitner is required to by all unsold jerseys with his name on them. When Jerry Porter of the Raiders changed his number midseason from 84-81 it cost him $210,000.



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[Sizzle]

It says a lot about the current state of your football team when even a critique turns into a compliment. Try this knock on the 49ers, for instance: Their 2012 draft could be a total bust.

Hey -- it might be. Depending on what happens with LaMichael James, who's sitting on 30 carries and 135 yards so far in his career, the class might not yield anything at all. James was the Round 2 pick, and first-rounder A.J. Jenkins is already gone, traded to K.C. for Jon Baldwin, who's yet to play. And that could really be it.

But here's that compliment: It probably won't matter.

First of all, the 49ers had drafted and pieced together the roster so well in the preceding years there really wasn't a place for a 2012 pick to play a significant role. Even this year, Jenkins wouldn't have been needed to play a major role if Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham were healthy. Secondly, the 2013 draft is already looking good. Eric Reid is playing a big role, Corey Lemonier is showing potential and Vance McDonald looks capable of playing a big role on offense as he develops. And this is before you even consider the potential of a healthy Tank Carradine, or the NFL redshirt that is Marcus Lattimore. Quinton Patton should at least provide depth once healthy.

Lastly, the 49ers' 2014 haul could be a good one as well.

2014 draft picks

The 49ers could add a lot of talent in the early rounds in 2014. Here's a current projection of their picks.

1st Rd
2nd Rd
2nd Rd (If K.C. wins 8 games, 3rd if not)
3rd Rd
3rd Rd (via trade)
3rd Rd (Likely comp for D. Goldson)
4th Rd
5th Rd
6th Rd
7th Rd (via trade)
7th Rd (via trade)
7th Rd (via trade)
7th Rd
The trade of Alex Smith to Kansas City is clearly working out for the Chiefs, but Kansas City's success also will create value for the 49ers. If the Chiefs win eight games, the third-rounder they used to get Smith becomes a second. They're 4-0 now, so the odds are in the 49ers' favor.

And when you factor in a likely third-rounder as compensation for the departure of Dashon Goldson in free agency, plus San Francisco's added third-round pick after a draft deal with Tennessee, the Niners should end up with a first, two seconds and three thirds. Besides Cleveland and St. Louis, no team should add more talent on the first two days of the 2014 draft than the 49ers.

That's a good thing, because the talent added, as well as the general approach to the draft, will serve a few goals.

Depth: The 49ers have been fortunate over the past two seasons when it comes to health. Last year, no team was healthier. But the 2013 team has taken hits, most notably at wide receiver and on the interior of the defensive line, and the effects are obvious. This is a team with a lot of proven starting talent, but depth will become more vital as injury trends catch up.

Flexibility: More picks means a greater ability to target additions via trade. Anquan Boldin was added because the 49ers have picks to spare. Their willingness to continue to move down the board selectively to add picks in the coming years will pay off in spots when they need to add a veteran.

Savings: Colin Kaepernick is cheap now, but he won't be soon. There are significant contracts the 49ers will either have to pay or pass on in the coming years (Aldon Smith is a clear example, regardless of current circumstances), and the more cheap talent the 49ers can add in the draft, the more space they'll have under the cap to handle those contracts.

As far as the 2014 draft is concerned, some needs are already emerging.

Wide receiver is one, and I can see the 49ers adding one as early as Round 1. They'll get weapons back, but it'll be hard to forget where they are now when draft time rolls around. I expect they'll add one with one of the early-round picks. A talent such as Sammie Watkins, who could be around in the middle to late first round, would be an immediate help.

I think cornerback is another obvious need. The 49ers are OK at corner, but not remotely elite. A great pass rush has masked some average talent over the past few years, and San Francisco should be looking to add more secondary talent in May. Players such as Bradley Roby (Ohio State) or Jason Verrett (TCU) could both be around in the late first or early second.

The interior of the defensive line is another clear target. Injuries this year have already been a detriment at nose tackle, and even though it might appear otherwise, we can't expect Justin Smith to maintain his form into his late 30s. If a wide-body, zero-technique type such as Daniel McCullers (Tennessee) is available in the late second or early third, he could be worth a look.

Ultimately, however, the 49ers have a strong roster, and more important, the ability to get deeper -- and cheaper -- through the draft. And 49ers fans who never wanted Alex Smith to go can feel comfortable cheering him on. Every game he wins adds to the likelihood the 49ers will be that much better in 2014.

The 49ers might be dealing with some early-season hiccups, but the future looks good.

Two thoughts:

1) I'd like to see LaMichael James in the slot. He was explosive at Oregon, he looked like he could contribute in the playoffs. But he's been a disappointment in the return game, and I don't think he's an everydown back to replace Gore. I think he can have a role, but I'd like to see what he could do being moved around a little bit. The thing that kills me is he's got better get up and go than Frank Gore, but he needs to learn to be patient like Gore is. Gore is one of the most patient runners I can remember. He knows how to pick his holes, and read his blocks. With that said, the 2012 draft for the 49ers was really Raider-esque with how awful it was. That the 49ers are still in as good of a position as they are now, is pretty impressive.

2) I don't know that there are more than 2 WRs that are worthy of going in the first round, with those two being Sammy Watkins and Marquis Lee. Depending on Tank Carridine being able to play 3-4 end, someone along the line who can either eat some space or help relieve Justin Smith is the top priority in my mind (Louis Nix or Will Sutton types). Corner is on the list, but don't forget they're also playing without Chris Culliver this year who was more than serviceable as a nickel corner when he wasn't slandering gays. The other position I think you look to address in the first three rounds with the slew of picks, is backup QB. Insurance in case Kaep gets hurt, but also to build value (like the Falcons did with Matt Schaub) for a future asset.

[BigPiney]

1) I'd like to see LaMichael James in the slot. He was explosive at Oregon, he looked like he could contribute in the playoffs. But he's been a disappointment in the return game, and I don't think he's an everydown back to replace Gore. I think he can have a role, but I'd like to see what he could do being moved around a little bit. The thing that kills me is he's got better get up and go than Frank Gore, but he needs to learn to be patient like Gore is. Gore is one of the most patient runners I can remember. He knows how to pick his holes, and read his blocks. With that said, the 2012 draft for the 49ers was really Raider-esque with how awful it was. That the 49ers are still in as good of a position as they are now, is pretty impressive.

I would like to see more of LMJ as well. He can catch the ball, we know that. Why not line him with Gore and then split him out in motion?

Also with Gore being patient. My friends and I were commenting on that last week as we watched the game. He looks slow in the backfield as he waits for the blocking to develop. He has some of the slowest, at least it looks that way, 10 yard runs that I have ever seen. Such a smart runner. Also it appears that Kendall Hunter has learned well from him and seems to run in the same style.

[Sizzle]

I would like to see more of LMJ as well. He can catch the ball, we know that. Why not line him with Gore and then split him out in motion?

Also with Gore being patient. My friends and I were commenting on that last week as we watched the game. He looks slow in the backfield as he waits for the blocking to develop. He has some of the slowest, at least it looks that way, 10 yard runs that I have ever seen. Such a smart runner. Also it appears that Kendall Hunter has learned well from him and seems to run in the same style.

Hunter has shown decent burst coming off of his injury. I agree that if he can learn some of the patience that Gore has, he can step in.

I'm also trying to temper expectations for Marcus Lattimore, but his vision seemed to be one of his strengths at SoCar. Hunter isn't as physical as Gore is/was, but Lattimore could be. Hopefully he's built a good relationship with Gore, because if anyone can relate to what Lattimore is going through, it's Gore.

[Sizzle]

Through almost three quarters the 9ers are down two of their best linebackers, two starting DL, and they are up 21 on the Texans.

Navarro Bowman has been great in Willis absence. They've been able to succeed without Aldon Smith, although their pass rush has suffered.

It's nice to see them bounce back from two tough weeks early in the year.