This blog is a supplement to the newspaper article. Please read, "Gauging the 49ers at midseason."
Here are some additional observations:
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Five cheers: The 49ers' offensive line can play a lot better, but they've been nowhere near as bad as the 34-sacks-allowed statistic would suggest. The line has to be excited that Shaun Hill is now at quarterback, and Mike Martz should ask them to protect on fewer seven-step drops.
Worst break: Alex Smith would've gotten his chance to play - and prove himself at some point this season. But when he sustained a fractured right shoulder on the Friday before the season opener, his year came to an abrupt end. Although GM Scot McCloughan said Smith would not be brought back if he did not head into the offseason as the proven starter, nobody has told that to Smith. He remains around the team and still goes to meetings. If the 49ers decide with Mike Nolan gone that they want Smith to return -- and he agrees to play for the league-minimum salary -- he actually could return in 2009.
Not disappointed now: Watching Aaron Rodgers get passed over - not only by the 49ers but by 23 other teams in 2005 - was painful to watch on TV. Rodgers wanted to go to the 49ers. The 49ers took Smith. He got the money; Rodgers did not. Well, until now. Rodgers signed a reported six-year, $65 million contract last week that included $20 million guaranteed. Smith's contract will be torn up after this season. He will have received approximately $31 million over four seasons. (And I'm still of the opinion that it didn't matter which player the 49ers selected No. 1 overall. That person would've been destined to fail.)
Biggest setback: Rookie receiver Josh Morgan showed a lot of really good things in the exhibition season, but then he developed a staph infection toward the end of training camp. (Safety Keith Lewis also had a staph infection.) Morgan lost 15 pounds, and struggled to regain his strength. The 49ers would like for him to claim the starting job at split end over Bryant Johnson, a veteran who signed a one-year deal. Morgan should get more of an opportunity after the bye.
Rookie nonimpact: In the Super Bowl last year, the N.Y. Giants received key contributions from their rookie class. Aaron Ross started at cornerback; Ahmad Bradshaw led the team with 45 yards rushing; Steve Smith caught five passes for 50 yards; Kevin Boss caught a huge 45-yard pass; and Jay Alford recorded a sack. But the 49ers, a 2-6 team at the break, can't even get their rookies on the field. Morgan has a chance to become a starter in the second half of the season. But first-round pick Kentwan Balmer sees limited action, and second-round pick, guard Chilo Rachal, has yet to get on the field.
Oh, not again: Tackle Jonas Jennings has now missed all or parts of 39 games (the club has played 56 games) due to injuries since signing a big-money contract with the 49ers in 2005. At the press conference to announce his signing,
Stock report: The 49ers paid big money to defensive lineman Justin Smith (seven years, $45 million). He has been exactly what the 49ers figured. He's active in the run game. He leads all NFL defensive linemen with 40 tackles. He's also had more QB pressures than anyone else on the team, and his three sacks is already more than he recorded all of last season with the Bengals.
Dwindling crowds: The 49ers' sellout streak is still alive. But how much longer that will last? There were more empty seats at Candlestick last week for a regular-season game than at any time in recent memory. The 49ers have not given their fans much reason for hope, either. The 49ers 1-4 record at home this season. But, hey, that's still better than what they've been on the road . . .
Early starts: The 49ers are 3-26 (that's right, 3-26) in East Coast road games that begin at 10 a.m., Pacific, since the beginning of the 2003 season. With that in mind, the second half of the season does not look very promising. The 49ers have four more of those road games in the second half of the season with games at
Face of change: On Oct. 20, the 49ers had a major announcement to make. The first person to the podium spoke these words:
"Good afternoon, everybody. The
Those simple words signaled a change as the public now sees the 49ers. Jed York, the 27-year-old son of Denise and John York - and the nephew of former owner Eddie DeBartolo - is now the face of the organization.
There is clearly no reason for John York to ever address football matters again. It was something with which he has never been comfortable, anyway. When he fired Steve Mariucci in early 2003,
Jed York is the new face of the franchise. And that might be good news for 49ers fans. Five years ago, people close to the
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I'm still mulling the best way to handle my political report from the 49ers' locker room. Hopefully, I'll post it within the next 24 hours.
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Hey Maiocco
First off, if Nolan is gone, then Martz may be gone, JT possibly gone in 09...why does the team STILL insist on getting rid of Alex Smith? Has it ever occured to you that martz is a bad OC with a bad plan? You seen what it did with JT flinging the ball carelessly. If such a gameplan is only good to beat a hurt Hawks team and a bad Lions team, somebody needs to CHANGE the plan. How about going back to WCO and teaching it to Alex SMith? That means he doesn't have to FLING the ball.
Somebody also needs to fire McCloughan for I see him as a Donahue no. 2 on this team. The man let this team fall into the gutter at 2 and 5.
I see MOrgan in the doghouse for he needs to catch the ball. Dropping balls gets you a seat on the bench and B Johnson to start over him. Singletary wants to coach players, not those who don't want to be coached.
Alex Smith should return to the 49ers, and I agree his salary should be lowered. Having Smith on another team will be a HUGE mistake as I feel he has the potential to hurt us. With Seattle possibly needing a QB and maybe Zona losing Kurt Warner and the Rams maybe needing a QB, who's to say Smith won't be on one of those 3 teams now? We need to retain Smith and teach him WCO as it should have been done.
Matt, is there any way for Goodell of the NFL to FORCE the Yorks to sell and relinquish this team, or do we have to petition Feinstein and Boxer to get off the Prop 8 high horse and get them to get a bill to make Goodell do his job?
Matt- You're right, Jed might be "good news" vs John and Denise York. But whether or not he has what it takes to lead this organization back to a "championship culture" is a complete unknown. There are 31 other organizations working hard at the same goal, and many are light years ahead. I fear that this year has further exposed the talent level of the players Nolan assembled. Jed York's claim that the Niners are so much better (than before Nolan) is way overstated. Considering the high draft picks and free agent money he had to work with, and considering the comparison with the 2004 team is such an easy one, I think Nolan's lasting impact on the organization will ultimately be considered insignificant.
Matt, I realize that what I am about to request is likely unreasonable, however I thought I would take a crack at it. There has been significant criticism levied against Scott McCloughan, and Mike Nolan for talent selection, draft and free agency, over the past 4 years. In defense of McCloughan, he has only held the title of GM since Feb 08. Can you bring any clarity to the question of accountability? I saw Nolan as a stronger presence in the McCloughan/Nolan relationship, so I'm going to assume, more often than not, he got his way....perhaps even after Feb 08. What are your insights?
The big question is whether or not Andy Lee is going back to the Pro Bowl
Hey Matt,
Understand the Carmen Policy had a bad relationship with Denise & John York. However, since Jed is the new face of the organization what his is relationship with Carmen Policy?
Matt, eventhough I would love Mike Singletary to get a full shot next year with his own staff, I feel the Niners need to go with an offensive-minded coach next year has their head coach. I have 2 former nfl coaches, and 3 coaches in mind. They are OC Mike Mularky from the Falcons who was actually drafted by Bill Walsh, and Lane Kiffin who has knowledge of the WCO. 3 college coaches 1 is Mike Leach Head Coach From Texas Tech, Pat Hill Head Coach from Fresno State (Coached Under Bill Bilchick), and Steve Sarkasian OC from USC who actually almost got the Raiders job but realized who he would work for, but has also coached under Norv Turner in the NFL. What are your thoughts on these possible coaches? Keep up the good work!!!
I am thinking Jed York might be a "Mark Cuban" type of owner...who really gets excited and into his team. Good news is that should translate into a passion for winning!
Good Luck Jed...make us proud!
I really hope that Jed York is closer to Eddie. I remember an interview with Eddie around the time when Bill Wash passed away were Eddie was talking about how far Jed York has come and how he was sort of mentoring Jed to be an NFL owner. All I can say is thanksgiving around the York Debartalo table cannot be that warming with Eddie's team at this low of a level. I would like for all of the old championship teams and their player rally around Jed and aid him in bringing in football type people to help restore this.
I love my niners and am deeply sadden with the way this um..decade has gone!
Please bring me team back to the top!
I like mike from 209's coaching thoughts except Pat Hill from Fresno State. If you thought Nolan was Vanilla, Pat hill is way worse. I have friends who can't stand playing for Pat Hill. I'm with Kiffin. I think he would do well.
Matt -- Though it initially sounds counterintuitive, why don't the Niners consider Vern Davis for defensive end (perhaps as a bookend with Ahmad Brooks)? The current bodies are totally worthless, VD has shown he can't catch -- and he certainly can't break a tackle, Walker runs cleaner patterns, and Bajema blocks better. With his speed and emotionalism Davis is better suited for defense, anyway. And a good pass rushing DE is worth more than a good TE. (More money for VD, too, if he makes the grade.) Would someone (i.e. you) please ask the Niners to mull this over?
Jed York as the face of the 49ers is a JOKE! Until proven to the contrary, Jed is a lucky sperm just like the incompetent W. The Yorks have done to the 49ers what the Bush regime has done to our country, run it into the ground. Thank God, that for our country we will have a new beginning Tuesday with Obama. As for our 49ers, the best we can hope for is that the Yorks move the team, and that a new 49ers are born under the ownership of Larry Ellison. Boycott the stadium and do not renew season tickets!
Matt, do you think the Niners will go after K.G.B.? He would be an awsome compliment to Justin Smith.
Matt- Actually, I think the 75 yard iterception return by Seattle was one of the best plays of the year because it finally got JTO removed from the line-up.
With this poor season, at least we will be in position to address our shortcomings at wide receiver. I say we draft RaShaun Woods.
Hi Matt, The team appears to be where they were after the 2004 season. A whole new face lift is needed. Can you confirm that Donahue signed a four year contract four months before being fired. He and Nolan had alot of similarities, both had the GQ down but no football IQ. The teams only hope is to hire a proven winner - I'm pulling for Bill Cowher. He's youhg enough, tough, and a proven winner. Watching Atlanta excel is reallly disheartening. The Yorks have a way of bringing the team to new depths.
hi matt,
i agree with your assessment report at mid-season. this has definitely been a most disappointing season thus far. at the mid-way point of the season i must (sadly) admit that i'm looking ahead to next years draft with one caveat; make every effort to keep a-smith! i would also love to see the organization make a strong pitch to bring in m-holmgren as g.m. i'm aware that he wants to step away for a year, but if the right package is offered he might reconsider. i also believe that the organization needs to desperately shake-up its player scouting system. the last few drafts have not been productive (except for willis) and the team is paying dearly for its drafting sins on the field and no doubt in the pocket-book. if we receive a 1-10 draft selection in the draft (raiders will probably have the #1 selection), we should look at trading our high choice for more players unless we can get a 'can't miss type player.' coming into this season i was hoping not to start thinking of the 2009 draft by the mid-way point but the product on the field leaves me little choice.
hi matt,
i agree with your assessment report at mid-season. this has definitely been a most disappointing season thus far. at the mid-way point of the season i must (sadly) admit that i'm looking ahead to next years draft with one caveat; make every effort to keep a-smith! i would also love to see the organization make a strong pitch to bring in m-holmgren as g.m. i'm aware that he wants to step away for a year, but if the right package is offered he might reconsider. i also believe that the organization needs to desperately shake-up its player scouting system. the last few drafts have not been productive (except for willis) and the team is paying dearly for its drafting sins on the field and no doubt in the pocket-book. if we receive a 1-10 draft selection in the draft (raiders will probably have the #1 selection), we should look at trading our high choice for more players unless we can get a 'can't miss type player.' coming into this season i was hoping not to start thinking of the 2009 draft by the mid-way point but the product on the field leaves me little choice.
1) McCloughan needs to be fired as he has done a poor job
2) The O Line is dreadful as they have given up 34 sacks and by statistic have been one of the poorest in pass blocking over the last three years. Their performance is no fluke and I respectfully disagree with you.
3)Martz needs to be fired. It was a dumb hire.
4)Jed York! You got to be kidding me. Eddie D won for one reason, Bill Walsh and Eddie wasn't against breaking the rules. He illegally funneled resources through the Debartolo Corp. We loved it.
5) Alex Smith is still the 49ers best chance for the future if he is healthy. Hill will do a better job than JTO. I don't know if Smith will make it but with that O line Tom Brady wouldn't.
6) We still need a better O & D line, receivers, and safeties. But if we don't get a QB, it will be another three years.
7) Next year we won't sell out.
8) Finding and hiring a good head coach who builds a great organization is the most crucial function of an owner. We have crappy owners.
Agree that McCloughan needs to be fired. It sounds like the only reason he was promoted was because nobody in the York clan had the balls to fire Nolan. Singletary needs the chance to finish this dreadful season. I don't think he is the right man to take over the team in the long run, but at this point why not give him the chance. Jed York taking over the team is another joke. He is a 27 year old born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and that is it. The Yorks need to realize they know crap about football, and if you look at their holdings, they know crap about business. The fans will begin to drop, and next seson will not sell out, but I really wonder if the Yorks care. Personally, I am now routing for Arizona (for this season as the Niners year is toast). The ultimate reason why the Niners will continue to suck for the next several years is that they need to be "rebuilt" AGAIN, and there is nobody in the organization capable of doing this.
If the Yorks move the team to LA what makes u think the NFL will grant San Francisco another franchise. First San Francisco would need a new stadium to put a team in. That would mean there would be 33 teams in the NFL. There would be no way Goodall would want 33 teams in the NFL. He also has said there would be no talk of getting an expansion team, and making it a 33 team league. Why do u think LA hasn't had a team in 13 years. Moreover, There is no way Goodell would put a new team in Candlestick park no matter who the owner will be. Also, do you think Goodall and the NFL would love to have one franchise here in the Bay Area in the Raiders, one team in LA with the Niners, and one team in San Diego with the Chargers. The NFL would love it. Now I am not York fan and never will. I hate them as an owner. I for one would love them to sell the team to Steve Young and Brent Jones. You also have to be realistic about things, and I rather have a team like the Niners to complain about and say crappy things about the owner, then heaven forbid have to root for the Raiders. Speaking of Larry Ellison, Matt u might want to help me on this, but was Larry Ellison part of a group that was trying to get a team in LA years back?
One good thing the Yorks did, IMO, is they brought in a football guy, gave him a long term deal, and gave him time to prove (or in this case disprove) himself. This will put Jed in a better position to hire someone good this time. There are a core of good players in their prime and a bunch of young players, some of whom will show something sooner or later. So, it might be an attractive situation to someone good. I would say the jury is out on McCloughan. IMO, player decisions go to Nolan until 2008.
Also, the Yorks could even say to Goodall, if we move to LA, they can make him guarntee not to put back in San Francisco. No matter who the owner might be. They can even do an Al Davis, and say to the NFL we owe territorial right s to San Francisco as well. Just like when Al Davis moved the team to LA back in the 80s still owned territorial rights to Oakland. That is way Al Davis was able to move the team back to Oakland back in '95
Also, the Yorks could even say to Goodall, if we move to LA, they can make him guarntee not to put a new team back in San Francisco. No matter who the owner might be. They can even do an Al Davis, and say to the NFL we owe territorial right s to San Francisco as well. Just like when Al Davis moved the team to LA back in the 80s still owned territorial rights to Oakland. That is way Al Davis was able to move the team back to Oakland back in '95
Hey Matt:
What are the odds the 49ers get a local blackout? I feel it's time to stop showing this team on Bay Area TV and holding us hostage to bad crappy football. I strongly feel Rams/Redskins are both going to be blacked out. What Arizona did to St. Louis today the 34 to 13 win, that could be us next Monday sadly.
We need a local blackout and petition Goodell to get rid of the Dorks. I'm tired of this franchise getting embarrassed and yeah, I'd pull my pants down too and point to my rear end.
Two quick thoughts: Joe Flaco shows that talk of JTO (now in his, what, sixth year?) needing more than 8 games to figure it out is just an excuse that Flaco, Brady, and so many others (including, yes, Aaron Rodgers) have provded incorrect. You either got it, or you don't. Second thought: the focus on who will coach this team in 2009 is misguided. The real focus should be on what a guy like Ernie Accorsi could do as GM. That's where championship are built -- the front office. Pay Ernie well and let him bring in whatever coach he deems best.
Guys-I was at the Browns/Ravens game yesterday. Aside from great weather and Bruce S. holding a free concert afterwards.......the kid Joe F. for the Ravens looked very impressive. A rookie no less. Heard him on the radio after the game and he has his head screwed on right. You just know he will make his mark in the NFL....and a rookie. Looked better than JTO and Smith put together. Only goes to show what good scouting and coaching will do. He will have some growing pains but he's the real deal. Gee, Scotty think you might find a legit. qb in the draft? Plus Joe F. had to transfer out of Pitt because Dave W. did not believe in him and started another kid in front of him. Unbelieveable.
NJM, I completely agree. Not sure Accorsi is the guy but your thought is dead on. It all starts with competent personnel people who can pick a great qb and surround him with quality people. Like it or not, the 9ers will not return to greatness until the front office returns greatness to the single most important position on the field, Quarterback. Look at the starters over the past 8 years. The only half way decent QB was Jeff Garcia. EVERY other qb has been no better than 3rd string on most other teams, and I'm including Alex Smith in that statement. Compare that to the 80's with Bill Walsh. You can say Steve Bono, Jeff Kemp, and others had success because of the system. You can also say Bill Walsh was a genius at finding players who could actually play instead of falling in love with players with gaudy college numbers, such as Alex Smith, without looking at how their game translates to the NFL. For evidence, look at how Walsh found Steve Young, who had been TERRIBLE with the Bucs, and turned him into a hall of famer. Hire the best scouting people in the NFL to find a great QB and maybe then we can be on our way to respectability. Is Brady Quinn done seasoning with the Browns? Is he available for trade? I'm not saying he's necessarily the guy but we have to find a qb who can start now and draft a qb for grooming down the line.
Does anybody think the 49ers NOW wish they did trade for Garcia? Think the 49ers can sign Garcia in the FA market? I think we can still salvage getting Garcia in 09 and thus saving us getting a QB. I hope to God we don't get a QB in the 7th round!
Houston 9er: we were clearly separated at birth. The greatness of the Niners was not only Walsh as a coach, but Walsh as a talent evaluator. The fact that he could put the two together is what produced those four Super Bowl championships during his reign (yes, I'm counting the Seifert one as his too). Walsh's brilliance was picking guys like Clark, Haley, Rathman, Wallace, etc., etc. all after the 4th round. When I look at what the Giants have done the last 3-4 years, you know why they won last year and look like a good bet this year. Look at their TE, Bass. The running backs, including Jacobs and Bradshaw, the O line...plus the top picks like Kiwi, Ross, Steve Smith -- they're all playing and playing well. Our guys? Watching the Big Sub from the sideline, or picking up more splinters than blitzers or ball carriers. I'm not hung up on Acorsi, but Scot isn't getting the job done.
Too much emphasis is being put on the QB position by a lot of posters here. First of all, with a weak line and martz-led seven step drops, any QB will suck back there. Aside from that, however, there are PLENTY of teams in the NFL that are winning (and have won, both playoffs and super bowls) without an elite QB. Look what the titans are doing with Collins. The Giants last year with Elisha.
There are only a handful of GREAT QBs in the league, but those aren't the only teams that are winning. Let's not forget the old saying, "Offense wins games, defense wins championships."
IMHO Walsh was the greatest builder of teams that ever coached in the NFL. The 86 9er draft is considered by many to be the greatest job of drafting by any team ever. Walsh had 8 picks going into the draft. He made 6 trades that allowed him to select 13 players and gain additional 1st and 2nd round picks in the 87 draft. Of the 13 players he selected, 8 players started on Superbowl winning teams. McCloughan doesn't compare to that kind of success. We need to find the guy who can find the talent. If it's Accorsi then so be it.
shootme, I don't disagree that a team can win without an elite qb. HOWEVER, greatness CAN NOT be sustained without an elite qb. Look at Baltimore, Tampa Bay, and Chicago as examples of very good teams with average QB's who got to the Superbowl. The 9ers are once again at a crossroads with the QB position. We need to find an elite qb and not just anyone who can play it safe and not lose the game.
This season is looking more and more unlucky for the Niners. I for one hope we do NOT finish with the top pick and be sitting ugly at the draft trying to to do whatever possible to trade the selection down. Last time that happened was when we drafted A. Smith. We were stuck with the #1 pick and no one willing to trade with us. The 2009 draft class looks equally pathetic in terms of QB talent. It's amazing just how many top-tier QBs went in the draft prior and after 2005. Here's hoping that we land a pick somewhere between 4-6 and pick an offensive or defensive lineman, or outside linebacker, if there are no game-breaking WRs left.
I still wish they would have signed Cam Cameron as OC. I think that would have left the team in much better shape now and in the future.