February bids us adieu today and you won’t catch me shedding any tears for this midget month. Condolences to all of you born in this end of the Zodiac squirt. Trust me, it explains everything that’s gone wrong in your life.
It looks like the 49ers will have a new center next year, bringing an end to the three year run of Jonathan Goodwin, who was brought in to replace David Baas in 2011. Goodwin is a FA and Thursday the team extended the contract of two year player Daniel Kilgore to 2017, making him the odds on favorite to be bent over offering his big old butt to Colin Kaepernick next year.
Backup DB Craig Dahl and backup WR Jon Baldwin have taken pay cuts in hopes of staying on the team, and the Niners are currently about $15 million under the salary cap, which is going to be $133 million in 2014.
Baldwin will be battling Quinton Patton and probably a 2014 draft pick or two for the precious job of 3rd WR, charged with running decoy routes five or six times each game, and occasionally being conked in the head by an actual pass inadvertently whistled his way. This is Baldwin’s fourth year in the league and he’s done pretty much nothing so far, despite superior size and speed. That means either his heart or his brain are not NFL ready and there’s probably not much that can be done to correct these insufficiencies.
Offensive continuity was once a burning issue in Ninerville, but no more. This will be the fourth straight year the 49ers will be running the same offensive system. From 2005 to 2011, they ran a different one each year and never had a winning season. Unfortunately, the current system seems top heavy with running plays and a bit thin on the passing side of the playbook. It’s author is a matter of some debate, too. Is it Jim Harbaugh’s system or Greg Roman’s. Maybe it’s not even a system, but a set of Lego toys.
It was speculated this past week that the Seahawks would be cutting DE Red Bryant. This is probably welcome news to RG Alex Boone and RT Anthony Davis, the 49er fellows who have to move old Red out of the way on running plays. Red only gets a sack if an opposing QB falls down in front of him just short of the LOS, but he’s a brick wall against the run, a type of play the 49ers like to engage in fairly frequently.
The good news is we’ve run the same offensive system for the 4th year now! 🙂 The bad news is we’ve run the same offensive system for the 4th year now! 🙁
“It’s a lot easier to get a suit than it is to get a coach.”
John Madden weighs in
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/02/26/daily-madden-harbaugh-deserves-more-credit-for-49ers-success/
Eventually this will get done. There really is no urgency because Harbaugh still has 2 years left on his deal.
Kilgore is being penciled in at center.
The center makes the line calls for blocking assignments.
I wonder how important and significant these calls are since Kilgore has not started any games at center.
He hasn’t started as a center since high school.
At Appalachian State he was either a Tackle or a Guard.
They should use a draft pick to select a center to compete for the job.
Looney and Snyder can also play center. Doubt if they draft one.
Certainly not to start right away. I’d imagine they go the usual route of drafting a lineman who can play multiple line spots.
The good thing about the 49ers offense is the versatility. We can draft an O-lineman and still use him at WR! Why not draft another 270lb slot receiver!
Kilgore’s deal is for $1.8 mil per year with all kinds of escalators and incentives.
Barrows confirms Nevada is in Miami for NFL committee meetings. Why didn’t Grant Cohn know that?
Should read Jed instead of Nevada
IIRC the meetings start March 23rd. He’s a bit early, eh?
Never gonna let that go, are you, Bergs?
I will say though that the 4 WR formation with 2 TEs and a FB was pretty laughable.
We even lined up an OT wide, about5 yards from the sideline, a few times! On one of those the other teams best CB was guarding the OT. I was laughing my butt off!
And no, I’m not going to let it go. I’m actually a fan of Vance McDonald but just saying “270lb slot receiver” is just too funny! What makes it funnier is it’s true!
Maclin signed a 1 year deal with the Egos.
Hardy will be franchised by the Panthers and K Nick Folk by the Jest.
Cowgurls have released Everette Brown and the Seahags have officially let Sidney Rice and Red Bryant loose.
Good riddance Red Bryant!
Another team like the Pats need to sign Bryant so he doesn’t return to the Seahags at a discount.
Seahags want a pass rush and could be more vulnerable to the run.
Pats were bidding on Bryant when he was a Ufa a couple of years ago.
“Seahags want a pass rush”
Last time I, and the NFL checked, they already have one.
The Niners should pay heed to Oberyn Martell (GoT S4) next time they play Seattle. “The Lannisters are not the only ones who pay their debts!”
We certainly owe Seattle. But do we have the coin? Who better to ask then Petyr Baelish, Master of Coin.
I’m off to the Antler’s for some prime rib. Time to deride Gino Torretta and his Heisman Trophy once again. The Downtown Athletic Club spews out that hardware like it was a Pez dispenser.
https://fbcdn-vthumb-a.akamaihd.net/hvthumb-ak-prn2/t15/p206x206/1500689_10201938793449860_10201938758568988_21920_1371_b.jpg
Disregard my last post, let’s try once more:
http://youtu.be/SURma5PlfGs
How do you improve the aerodynamics of a musician’s car?
Take the Domino’s Pizza sign off the roof.
Kap had the worst completion percentage under pressure and took the 4th most sacks under pressure according to an article in ESPN The Magazine. There are two ways to look at that. Does Kap need to improve? Yes. A bigger question for me is when is our OC going to design and call plays that are more QB friendly to help with those stats. I think those stats are more on Roman than Kap.
One of the Matts said this about CJ Spilman awhile back. He will never challenge for a starting position because he’s viewed as a “9 to 5 guy” who needs to spend more time watching film but seems content to play special teams.
Spilman would be a logical replacement for Whitner but has chosen not to put in the extra time.
Contrary to the popular perception is that it was Harbaugh that felt BJ Daniels wasn’t worth keeping according to Barrows. Harbaugh didn’t see a future with the Niners for BJ.
The anti-Harbaugh crowd is smelling blood:
Killion: “Source says Harbaugh’s act has worn thin in the locker room.”
I’m surprised it took this long. Harbaugh’s act certainly isn’t Oscar worthy. Jimbo belongs MC’ing the Razzies.
Depends who Killion’s source is.
Could be LMJ, Baldwin or Eric Wright.
Slow period for news and Killion trying to stir things up.
Yahoo now is quoting the Killion story and this will evolve into his players hate Harbaugh.
One moment he’s a players coach and next thing you know he’s Capt Bligh. This will snowball and won’t go away.
Blood in the water Bullit.
Nothing good will come of this, until Jed steps up and makes some sort of ‘unity’ speech.
The longer it goes without comment from the FO, the more traction it will gain.
Niners should have learned not to mess with success.
Seifert was doing fine but they felt the need to bring Mooch on board and force Seifert out.
I liked Mooch but not at the expense of getting rid of Seifert.
Niner FO is so secretive so everything is hearsay and second or third hand innuendo.
Berger, question: How did Alex do under Reid in those categories? Alex took a lot of sacks here. Is that still true in KC?
Grump it looks like Alex got sacked 39 times in ’13 at KC.
2nd highest (44) since being in SF.
He’s always been a guy that hung onto the ball too long.
Bullit, if this same “situation” was going on with Seattle, you’d be on them like a cheap suit. Just saw some on the red carpet, btw. You’d say this internal turmoil would tear them apart. Who’s in charge? Lack of true leadership. Blah. Blah. Blah. But since it’s our Niners, all is still well in paradise. They’re beyond reproach in your mind. But the Niners are in trouble.
Come April 6 you may hear once again, “Winter is coming.” But it won’t be that cold.
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer with Harbaugh and Baalke.
Bullit the success to this point is simply an improvement from the recent norm.
Falling short of ultimate success is likely the reason behind the turmoil.
Jim missed on 3 attempts to clear the bar.
If he’s to be taken seriously, he’s got to get out from under this story and clear the air.
Either Jed reigns things in and clears things up or, this isn’t going to get much better.
Denny
That would be true because I can’t stand the Seahags.
You love piling on the Niners doing it everyday with glee.
What’s your excuse?
Grumpy- Going into the season the knock on KC was they had a terrible O-line and their best lineman, Brandon Albert, was unhappy. Alex getting sacked 44 times (according to NJ) is pretty good and their RB was 2nd in the league in rushing, IIRC. If they fix that O-line they should be a scoring machine. Obviously their play caller is better than our play caller.
The stat about Kap was not how many times he was sacked but how often he was sacked when under pressure. He was 4th worst in the league. Since Alex is pretty good at finding safety valves and their offense gives the QB plenty of options I would guess Alex faired very well in this category. Kap does not have an offense designed to let him get bailed out nearly as often as other offenses. Our play caller is the weak link on our football team.
Bullit, I can’t allow you and fellow Outsiders to think the Niners can no wrong. That would turn Skeebers’ blog into one big masturbatory circle jerk. Someone has to remind you that you’ll go blind.
Denny
What happened to Manning? Brady? Brees?
Won’t even talk about Romo who didn’t make it, but what else is new.
These are all your “guys”. Made some bad choices. Try again.
Manning, Brady (3x) and Brees have all won a Super Bowl since the Niners have claimed fame. And Manning, Brady and Brees would make the Niners better next year, even in their advanced state. Why am I even going through this again? I quit.
And Ellen DeGeneres should f’ing quit. Lackluster, unfunny and quite awkward at times this evening. Bring back Billy Crystal.
Not sure Billy Crystal would garner the ratings within the LGBT community Del.
It’s about ratings afterall.
And so help me Christ. If we draft a WR with our first selection this year,I’ll quit one more time. One of this days I’m gonna quit for good. Damn Niners keep pressing their luck.
A WR at Pick 30 might actually be a good thing Del.
I’d take Odell Beckham or Brandin Cooks there if given the option right now.
Might even follow that up with another WR in RD2.
Donte Moncrief
1 small WR with 4.38 speed in Cooks.
1 taller WR with 4.4 speed in Moncrief.
This is hte Draft Class to get younger and faster in the WR area.
Denny
We’re talking 2013 season and only because you rub our faces in it when these guys do well.
Crash and burn and it’s a sore subject?
How’s your hero Romo doing? How many playoff games has he been in?
Don’t feel like talking about his annual crash landings?
Marcus Lattimore is lifting weights and squatting 405 lbs.
Before his injury he was lifting 500 lbs.
Waiting to see him run in preseason and get hit.
He should be ready to contribute in a big way.
Marquise Lee has fallen on many draft boards. If Lee and Cooks are there at 30 who would you take?
Lee was top 15 earlier.
Bring both in for private workouts and we’ll see.
Kelvin Benjamin is still very raw. He is more Ramses Barden than Calvin Johnson now and might be a couple of years away which doesn’t fit the Niner’s need for immediate contribution.
NJ, a WR selection with our FIRST pk is a horrible idea. Take ’em anywhere after that. I think we should draft a WR or maybe even two this year. But not with our first selection. Makes no sense for this team the way it’s currently structured to use its first pk on a WR. Go defense. I’m thinking DL in particular. I saw one mock that had Louis Nix, “Irish Chocolate” falling to us at 30. When I told Berger this he bout fell off his chair.
Nix is my guy as well Del.
I’d take him in a NY minute.
Like DT Aaron Donald too.
If either are there, I’m fine with that option.
Bullit, I’m leaning toward Cooks since I saw him run in Indy.
Quick twitch kid.
We need a field stretcher.
New post is up.
Dennis just needs a stretcher . . .