The Chicago Bears brought some old-fashioned smash-mouth football to Santa Clara Sunday afternoon. They shut down the 49ers running game, then shut down their passing game, then shut them out in the second half, and finally sent 25% of the team limping off to the trainer’s room for good measure.
Even so, the game went down to the wire because the Bears didn’t bring much of an offense with them, either. Mitch Trubisky‘s stats looked good – 25 for 29 – but it was only good for two TDs and a ten minute edge in TOP.
Each team took a stab at boneheading the game away in the final two minutes. The Bears tried first when idiot WR Allen Robinson caught a third and three pass for a first down on the first play after the two minute warning – giving the Bears a simple kneel out victory, but Robinson decided to show what a stud he was and proceeded to fumble away the clincher instead, gifting the Niners with plenty of time to march downfield and win the game.
However, not to be outdone, a few plays later, Nick Mullens ignored an easy scramble for a first down to instead launch a desperate fourth down pass that went incomplete and ended the game anyway.
The loss kept the Niners in contention for last place in the NFC West and for a top three pick in next year’s draft. The win kept the Bears in contention for the number two seed in the NFC playoffs. If they beat Minnesota next Sunday, the Rams will have to beat the 49ers to earn the two seed. If the Bears lose (and they play the early game), the Rams won’t have to do anything but catch some Zs in the season finale.
The loss also guaranteed the Niners will finish with a worse record this year than last year. But with the emergence of Mullens and some fellows on the defense, next year’s squad will have far superior depth. An injury to a starter won’t completely derail the team, like Jimmy Garoppolo‘s injury did this year.
Unfortunately, depth doesn’t win a lot of games in the NFL. You still need quality starters and the 49ers have a ways to go in that regard.
Game times were changed to prevent your scenario as both are now at same time.
Great.
Dick Sherman has his teammates back
https://www.49ers.com/video/richard-sherman-praises-continued-growth-of-young-players-on-defense
Nobody picks on Sherman just like nobody picked on CB Jimmy Johnson and everyone picked on the opposite corner Kermit Alexander and the one year when Deion played.
I really think Sherman would be a great DB coach after he retires and Lynch should look into that
On his last play Mullens threw the pass 5 yards out of bounds, not even a 50/50 ball. That pass had no chance of being caught so that’s why he’s getting criticized. He had time to set his feet and the only desperate thing about the play was it was fourth down.
Glad I made the mistake about the Rams already having the 2nd seed. It was my reading comprehension that was in effect again. Anyway, I want to see us play a real game against them this week. Hopefully we have enough players able to suit up.
Two things
Matt Millen had a heart transplant and he’s in recovery mode.
He was a lousy GM but a good Niner and a tolerable TV guy. Wish him a speedy recovery.
Rumor mill has Dolphins and Jest interested in hiring Jim Harbaugh. Time will tell.
From Niners official website they breakdown plays from Seahag win. Contrary to some posters here Solomon Thomas is making plays and is constantly double teamed so I would not be so eager to trade him.
https://www.49ers.com/video/orig3n-dna-of-a-play-dissecting-the-top-plays-against-seattle
Bullit, CHI and DEN and SEA have poor olines. LAR has a good one. Save your judgement until next Sunday’s destruction of our dline.
Did Thomas even play against LAR the first time. Armstead won that competition in practice. Thomas only around 276 lbs. He will never ever be a star at nickel DT. Quality olines will wash him out.
With these meaningless wins we have no chance for Bosa. Quinnen Williams is the other sure thing at DL. Really hoping for him.
Thomas should be bundled with our 2nd or 3rd to get a better player.
Our DL is healthy. Their O is healthy. No excuses.
OTOH our O without Goodwin, Pettis, and Breida most likely and Kittle gets doubled.
Rams O Healthy? Gurley had to sit out Cards game with injury.
Thomas played 39 snaps against the Rams and had 5 total tackles,
3 solo and 1 TFL.
Here are team stats on defense for 2018 prior to CHI game.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2018.htm#all_defense
For our DL he is ranked below DeFo, AA, Marsh, Blair and just above Mitchell. He has not been injured, just beaten out in practice. Sacks in above order are 12, 3, 5.5, 5.5, 1, 0. Some of those games I remember he had 0 tackles. Looks to me that Armstead and Blair showed better in practice and number of snaps is earned.
He had almost 1/4 of his tackles and 1/3 of his TFL in that LAR game. Blair has 13 QB hits to his 6.
After these stats am wondering where his trade value is. Have to think he played less because Saleh was worried about keeping his job and Blair and AA gave him a better chance of keeping it.
This blog has become a henhouse of depravity, full of losers clucking away without a clue of what they’re talking about. My blog is superior and even Del Mar Dennis would rather post there. I would also like to publicly announce my engagement to Spitblood, as we were meant to be together all along
Here is snap counts for first 14 games. Wow, he has a little more than AA and 597 vs 484 for Blair. He disappears in games, underperforming and hurting his team.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2018-snap-counts.htm
On second though we better not trade him and hope he improves. With these stats he would be a hard sell in the trading market. Do not want to give away AA or him. We keep these guys as good depth in case we are lucky enough to get quinnen williams.
Whoa! Martin for TD untouched. 14-0. Can we back in to #2.
Unnca, like that V for Vendetta banner.
Does Spitblood live up to his name.
Bakkentom…
Would you put Mullens on the table to Elway for Courtland Sutton?
Hope this guy is right.
https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/12/24/18155329/pick-3-is-all-but-sewn-up
NJ, in a nanosecond.
https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/4/27/17293484/broncos-second-round-pick-2018-nfl-draft
Obvious attraction of BDN for teams with little salary cap room.
DEN at top of that list. Bring in McCarthy since Vance is a dead man walking. DEN needs first 3 picks for the OL.
I like Nick quite frankly over Jimmy at this point.
Simply for ‘IT’ factor and Cap impact.
I’d consider any deals involving Cap, player swap, Draft positions.
Wouldn’t rule out Lynch getting another OT in RD1 in April either.
Best OT might make sense if he slides into position around slot 10?
Pass rushers are deep enough to find quality into RD3 IMO.
If he can swap current players for Sutton or Ramsey for instance, I’d approve 😀
Gruden, 10 year 100 million contract.
Merry Christmas.
Courtland Sutton & N’keal Harry would be an outstanding duo with Kittle and ‘Quise.
We have #3 as long as we lose with LAR. If Bosa or Quinnen Williams are there, take it. The other pass rushers have some risk, so trade down may be prudent.
In this draft, runs at front seven positions could happen. Take advantage of drops by moving up a 2nd for ILB, e.g.
Do,we have our OT transition already. Glinch to LT, Shon Coleman to RT. 6’5″ 310 with OZ mobility. Are any of those IOL’s in draft capable of OZ and 310 lbs or better?
Watch Clemson/ND Saturday night.
See how ND OC Sam Mustipher handles Clemson DL.
I think Mustipher could be a good add for us.
We own Pick 2 at this point thanks to Oakland’s win tonight.
SF2,NYJ3, Oakland4.
Nice 😀
https://gbnreport.com/2019-first-round-selection-order/
Merry Christmas Boys 😀
For the Jets to beat SF in SOS they will need 3 of the following 4 results
NYG over DAL
TB over ATL
BAL over CLE
LAC over DEN
This may impact us, Clemson DL weakened and ND OLINE strengthened.
https://sports.yahoo.com/3-clemson-players-miss-cotton-bowl-failed-drug-tests-including-dexter-lawrence-194952443.html
Merry Christmas 49er fans.
https://www.al.com/sports/2018/08/cleveland_browns_abruptly_repl.html
In his second NFL season, Coleman started every game at right offensive tackle for the Browns in 2017.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2632417-shon-coleman-nfl-draft-2016-scouting-report-grade-for-browns-rookie
He was let go because he lost out to LG Bitonio shifting to LT and CLE recently picking up Glenn Robinson. Future RT for us when Staley retires?
CLE did not do OZ. If he proves to handle OZ run blocking he will be the RT IMO. Like Richburg. When we have the luxury of a better roster an upgrade can be done if needed.
MERRY CHRISTMAS OUTSIDERS and Wannabe GMs
https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/12/24/18155264/should-mullens-start-next-year
Mullens is a good back up
I still contend CJ is not yet at back up standard. I usually get shouted down when I say that, but having watched Heinicke (and Allen) step in for Newton at the Panthers, they were clearly better than CJ and comparable to Mullens. A Back Up QB to my mind is a player who gives the team a chance to win, but can’t pull off that win by themselves. He relies on other players in the team, be it defence or offence, to pull it off. A starting QB is one of those players who can pull off the win with their own skill. Doesn’t mean they do it every week, but they have something special to offer. In most games, CJ holds the team back, Mullens does enough so others can win the game, and Jimmy can pull out a win against the flow. I don’t think there isn’t a competition anywhere in the QB ranks. To my mind the only question is what happens to CJ if Mullens isn’t traded. CJ doesn’t qualify for the practice squad. And I don’t think Mullens is good enough to attract a trade.
by ozzienewbie on Dec 24, 2018 |
Good explanation of franchise starter versus capable backup. Let the market decide on BDN’s value.
He costs peanuts. Look at the money spent on Case Keenum, Nick Foles, and Brock Osweiler. Will market decide he is worth a 2nd for the little salary amount he will cost a team?
Adam Peters and John Lynch meet The Art of the Deal. I bet Trump could make that case. Earn your damn money. This is easy lifting.
Silicon Valley entrepreneurs create integrated circuits, satellites and other space gear, medical equipment, new cancer drugs. What you do is romper room compared to the real wealth creators.
Easy peasy, BDN = 2019 2nd. Just do it!
Niners need to sit Goodwin also on Sunday.
Do not want to,settle for Josh Allen. Must be Bosa or Williams. Have KS’s kids do the playcalling too.
https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/12/24/18155545/if-49ers-lose-on-sunday-they-have-at-least-a-68-75-chance-to-end-up
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: C. Weston Richburg and Mike McGlinchey both played poorly. Both committed one false-start penalty. Both got beat in pass protection. Richburg couldn’t hold his ground one on one – big surprise. And McGlinchey couldn’t hold his own against Khalil Mack. Mack schooled him three times, and beat him once to the inside to stuff a run for a two-yard loss.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: B. They sacked Mitchell Trubisky three times and limited Bears running back Jordan Howard to 53 rushing yards and one touchdown. DeForest Buckner had one sack. Cassius Marsh had two.
Watching on Gamepass and box scores. Above is from Cohn zone.
We only rushed 15 for 47 yards. Breida got injured midway in 1st half but Wilson usually gets yards. Our OZ got stuffed. Saw Staley lost Mack on an inside speed rush. Lots of IOL pressure. Hicks had two pass deflection early. Still cannot handle stunts. Pocket collapses.
On D Defo 1 sack and Marsh 2 sacks. Thomas had 4 tackles but no QB hits or sacks. Bears OL is average at best. All the short passes happen because run blocking poor?
Holiday probably affecting PFF grades coming out maybe. Want OL and DL grades. This Fangio D so probably 4 man pass rushes.
Trouble blocking Mack and Hicks. Person overpowered by Hicks. Hicks in qb face all game.
See AA a lot in field but he did little in box score. Need to see snap counts.
Cohn zone had good comment about OL has technique to prevent DL from batting passes down. Hicks was blocked by Person on his two ,deflected passes. 3rd pass blocked by Hicks, Person does nothing to keep him from extending.
Skeebs, Allen Robinson at 1:52 left had the ball punched out by Tarvarius moore. But you are right, if not kneeling down he should have had both hands protecting ball from being punched or pulled out.
4th and 4, Mullens may have made it if he ran but Floyd was there to run him down. Goodwin did not seem to be open.
Taking Williams at pick 2 would be redundant because you already have Deforest Buckner and the Dline is the strongest unit on this team.
Funny that the two best DTs in football were drafted 11th Watt and 13th Donald.
The Niners have greater needs than another inside Dlineman. Williams plays NT in the Bama 3-4 yet the Niners are now married to the 4-3.
Williams big DE on base downs, DT on nickel. More scrutiny from scouts and combine but he could be an Aaron Donald with an extra 10 pounds.
If Williams drafted then Armstead needs to be traded. To prepare for this he needs to be given a tradeable contract before the draft. Williams/Defo then similar to Donald/Suh and makes average DE’s much better. So Thomas starts as nickel DE on strong side.
Is he a serviceable LEO on base downs. On a bad roster yes. Seems Bosa goes #1. At #2 we take Williams and bundle the 2nd to come back later in 1st and get best edge for us. Then we package Thomas with our 3rd and trade to a 3-4 D like GB or NYG as a strong-side OLB similar to what we had in Ahmad Brooks.
If we draft edge at #2, Bosa or Allen, then both AA and Thomas can stay. Would prefer that Thomas gets traded either way. Does not belong on the field with strong olines. Seems he disappeared again vs CHI which without Kyle Long is average at all 5 OL positions.
Seems LAR OLINE healthy. If so then good test for Thomas. Their line works well as a unit. See if Thomas makes any kind of impact.
I doubt it. He is not a capable interior DT in nickel. This draft and FA is where we should make sure we have two good edges. I would absolutely trade Thomas as a LOL to a 3-4 team. If he is deficient in pass coverage they can,scheme to minimize that.
He is not a 3 down player for us. Nickel DT is now a majority on the field. He is too small. Time to trade Lynch’s mistake.
LOLB
Jimmy G trade mirrors that deal Walsh made for Young
Per Chronicle
A steal of a deal
49ers received: QB Steve Young
Buccaneers received: No. 50 draft pick (LB Winston Moss), No. 106 draft pick (WR Bruce Hill) and $1 million
Not all trades work
The trade for Steve Young (1987) was a coup for the 49ers, and the deal for Jimmy Garoppolo (2017) has great potential. But the outcomes of those transactions are the exceptions in a series of otherwise meaningless moves:
2014: Received Blaine Gabbert from Jaguars for sixth-round pick
2013: Received Colt McCoy and sixth-round pick from Browns for fifth- and seventh-round picks
2006: Received Trent Dilfer from Browns for QB Ken Dorsey and seventh-round pick
2002: Received Cade McNown from Dolphins for conditional seventh-round pick
Last 3 deals were just wasted picks
You keep trashing Thomas but the film doesn’t lie
https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/12/19/18147399/solomon-thomas-film-breakdown-49ers-vs-seahawks
Hidden gem?
Seemed to remember that OG competition this summer had Joshua Garnett and Jonathon Cooper both injured and competing with a healthy Person. Person took advantage and got all the reps in OTA’s, training Camp, and first two preseason games.
Garnett came back first, but too far behind Person. Got a minor re injury and lost out to Person. Seemed KS puts lots of value on a cohesive line so Garnett a backup all season. Cooper too late in the game and got released.
Can Garnett be the better RG in pass pro?
Bullit, the real test is LAR on Sunday.
SEA RG and RT are garbage. CHI RG is Kyle Long’s sub, RT Massie is poor in pass pro. Film against a mediocre line doesn’t count. A healthy LAR line on video and PFF grades you need to post and discuss.
DEN, SEA, and CHI IOL and RT are worthless compares.
BKtom
The reality is everything you are posting about Thomas is wishful thinking.
When you say Seattle and Chicago have garbage Olines, they are
2018 playoff teams so your characterization is flawed at best.
We are in a rebuild. The aim is to upgrade this roster to be playoff caliber by end of 2020. Two drafts.
Upgrades needed on average players.
O: Richburg, Person, old Staley, Tomlinson maybe, WR1
D: edge1, NT with pass rush, SAM/edge2, Will
Did not include any DB’s. Mack and Floyd make their CB1, CB2, and FS look much better, and even get Pro Bowl recognition. So April 2019 we fix our edges and Will. Can we have a top 5 D then?
I am going to destroy your sorry ass O-line and eat your lame backup quarterback for lunch.
The team plays a 4-3 so they need an edge rusher.
My point is they are going to give Buckner a monster contract and drafting another DT with a top 5 pick is going to bite them in the ass when they have needs at other positions.
The big hole in the defense is finding a LB to replace Foster.
Not everything has to happen with the first pick and if someone
really loves a player I would be willing to trade down if I were Lynch. Like I said before Aaron Donald was picked 13th and Watt 11th so top ten is no guarantee unless you are in love with that player. P Willis was picked 11th and Bowman was a 3rd round pick.
No trade ups of any significance this year. There was Trubiskey, Mahomes, and Foster two years ago. Seems absent this year.
Really hoping Cards go LT Jonah Williams. Then best edge for us. Bosa? That is best for us. Thomas and AA maybe have 3rd RD trade value at best this year. Bosa allows us to avoid a fire sale on either of them. Faint praise for them I guess.
Thomas still has 2 years on his rookie deal before the option year so there’s no urgency to trade him.
Armstead on the other hand is looking for his second contract and most likely big money. He doesn’t deserve anything but a modest short term bump in pay. He needs to unleash hell to get the deal he wants so give him a one year deal to do it or let him walk. Blair has consistently outplayed Armstead and is the guy I would keep.
Suprises happen all the time in the draft. Nobody would’ve have thought Mayfield would go #1 last year.
Long way to go before #1 is cemented.
Herbert decided to play his Senior year and stay at Oregon so there goes one potential first round QB.
https://lettermenrow.com/ohio-state-football/nick-bosa-ohio-state-buckeyes-football-core-muscle-injury-rehab/
Bakken, AA is either signed to his extension or cut loose. His possibility of being traded is low. Thomas is getting better working the inside. Again, his value is low and we would be better off developing him rather than trading him for a low round pick. He would maybe get a low 3rd or more likely a 4th.
Bakken you seem to think every GM is on glue. Mullens value is fairly undetermined at this point. But worth a 2nd? No.
Chuck, are you saying I am guilty of irrational exuberance. Say it ain’t so.
https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/12/26/18151130/nick-mullens-contract-status-2019-trade-rumors-49ers-quarterback-depth-chart
Read some of the comments. Cap-starved teams like DEN, maybe NE.
At end of day 1,call Bill B before his pick. Our 3rd and Mullens for their 1st. Or our 4th plus AA plus Mullens for NE’s 1st.
Both are young. If BB does not like AA he gets a comp pick.
If we can’t get Bosa I’d love to trade down… but I said much the same in 2005 as I recall. It takes two to tango. Unless some poor rube falls in love at the combine with one of the QBs, it’s hard to see where we can make a deal. But if Lynch gets any feelers he ought to listen carefully.
Grump
If a QB like Haskins blows people away at the combine then the Cards deal their pick for draft picks and Bosa drops to Niners at pick #2.
A lot can happen between now and then. Right now Mullens is valuable as a low cost backup.
Can’t see anyone trading more than a third day draft choice for Mullens.
Stranger things have happened. It’s not the way to bet, but I’d love to see it happen.
As for Mullens, we’d be crazy to trade him. Having a backup who can win games off the bench can be the difference between playoffs and Christmas at home. No way I’m tossing that away for a low draft pick. I’d be hesitant to do it even for a third, and no one in their right mind is going to give us more.
When has Danny Snyder ever been considered a person of ‘right mind’?
He, Snyder, could easily be in a bind with the loss of Alex.
He, Snyder, put the Rams where they are today, by selling out for RG III.
Yes…stranger things….
We’re paying Top dollar to a QB with just about equal game experience to Nick.
All Jimmy has going for him, is the number of games he sat the bench, behind Brady.
Belichick did Jimmy a favor, by putting his Contract status in the hands of Lynch, to get him paid. Simply because he couldn’t.
Unload Jimmys’ deal if the opportunity presents itself.
Use that money to pay DeFo, retain Arik, buy a #1 WR or CB.
Then…Draft DE.
How about this, NJ. DeFo to big DE and QWilliams to 3-Tech
https://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/nfl-draft/191620-quinnen-williams-dt-alabama/
Quinnen replaces Arik? Fine.
Saves money I guess, since we get a rookie Contract in it’s place.
I do think Quinnen improves our interior Dline.
Still prefer to acquire additional Picks by selling down.
Watch the Bowl matchup.
If OK stiffles Quinnen, put OK OL on the Draft Board.
Herbert going back to Oregon takes away about 99% of the impetus to trade out of the 1st pick.
At this point, I’d take Josh Allen. Not yet another interior lineman. He can rush the passer and he can cover. We aren’t getting Bosa and we aren’t trading Jimmy G.
Or…a QB with NFL starts trumps the Draft Class?
http://insidethepylon.com/nfl/2019-nfl-draft/2018/12/26/draft-preview-kentucky-edge-josh-allen/
Is he overhyped? Level of competition faced? Needs scrutiny but can be SAM/edge1 with Lynch’s mistake able to be a 3 down starter as Leo/edge2 hoping that DeFo and Allen draws the extra attention.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/12/26/tom-brady-new-engand-patriots-offense-rookie-quarterbacks-mayfield-rosen-darnold-jackson-allen
NICK MULLENS IS NOT A FLASH IN THE PAN
This isn’t to say San Francisco’s undrafted second-year quarterback should compete for Jimmy Garoppolo’s starting job next year, but Mullens’s style of play is one that typically translates well to sustained NFL success: He operates on-schedule. He seems to know how most coverages relate to his receivers’ routes, which allows him to work into his later progressions. And, best of all, he’s tough in the pocket. He’s willing to, as my friends at NFL Films have long put it, “stare down the gun barrel” when defenders are closing in. That crucial trait is why middle-of-the-road quarterbacking talents can prosper while combine gems like Kyle Boller, Blaine Gabbert or [pick one of the other dozen recent QB busts] flounder
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/12/26/18155822/chicago-bears-sackwatch-2018-week-16-vs-san-francisco-49ers-sacks-allowed-pass-protection-trubisky
Big attraction of BDN for NE’s 2nd or our 3rd plus BDN for NE’s 1st is our pick very early in round and NE’s late to very late in round.
BDN an apprentice for 2019 then NE’s starter. Big cap saver for BB.
Here is one example of predicting success nfl position per draft round.
https://forums.colts.com/topic/55663-draft-pick-position-and-success-rate/
Just common sense that higher probability of success the higher the player is picked.
The niners lack stars, IOW impact players. This is a high quality draft for non-qb. Our pick is so high in each round, but especially the first two. I do not want quantity over quality in this draft. Looks like we have #2 in 1st, #1 in 2nd, basically two 1st Rd picks.
Edge rusher success even more restricted. Good and great ones pretty much from first two rounds.
We need to nail edge and interior rush this draft. Is qWilliams the only Aaron Donald DT sure thing.
Almost need first two picks to address this. If bundling Thomas or Armstead helps enough to move up we should do it.
We find out Sunday our draft position in a pass rushers draft. Three nights away.
Success rate heightened with pass rush quality of this draft. Analogous to stock picking. Higher chance of success now with a bear market bottoming.
Two years ago it was Myles Garrett and the rest. Looks like #2 and #33 for us, barring trade ups.
Some wisdom from Mike Tyson. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. We are still spitting out teeth from the 2017 disaster. No more. Just win baby.
https://theriotreport.com/scout-camp-2018-about-the-author/
Food for thought. 3 of the top 5 sack leaders are DT’s. Will LB Darius Leonard of IND is a rookie at top of 2nd RD.Leads in Tackles by 20, also has 7 sacks. Defensive rookie of year in waiting.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/stats
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/12/15/18141744/2019-nfl-draft-updated-positional-big-board
For day 1 LB’s the two devin’s are will’s. Nice if one goes to us. That is my hope. #2, #33 and somehow move our 3rd into the 1st. Get our Darius Leonard and two pass rushers.
New post is up.