GM Scot McCloughan (and Mike Nolan) has not experienced much success in finding wide receivers via the draft. But what about the team's two youngest wideouts? Can they play?
At this point, we do not know.
But the 49ers' game Monday night at
Rookie Josh Morgan has supplanted veteran Bryant Johnson as the starter at split end, and second-year player Jason Hill will likely get his most extensive playing time of his career as he takes over for injured Arnaz Battle.
Hill played only 30 snaps all of last season. As a rookie, he caught just one pass for 6 yards. With the amount of three-receiver sets offensive coordinator Mike Martz likes to employ, Hill could be on the field for approximately half of the team's plays Monday at
"This is probably the best opportunity he's had, but we'll see," 49ers receivers coach Jerry Sullivan said. "I'm not going to pass any judgment until I see him do it in a game."
Hill has three receptions for 38 yards this season, including a 33-yard grab on a Shaun Hill pass on Oct. 26 against the Seahawks after
Hill was a third-round pick in the '07 draft, while Morgan was chosen in the sixth round earlier this year.
The 49ers have not had a lot of success with picks at receiver since Terrell Owens in 1996. The receivers they selected after Owens were Iheanyi Uwaezuoke (fifth round, '96), Ryan Thelwell (seventh, '98), Tai Streets (sixth, '99), Cedrick Wilson (sixth, '01), Brandon Lloyd (fourth, '03), Rashaun Woods (first, '04), Derrick Hamilton (third, '04), Rasheed Marshall (fifth, '05), Marcus Maxwell (seventh, '05) and Brandon Williams (third, '06).
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RealClearSports.com asked me to write a three-part series - pretty much off the top of my head - on the 49ers. The series, Dynasty to Dysfunction, begins with Part I, believe it or not.
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This is where stars are either born or DOA with this opportunity. Let's see who can
emerge if any as future playmakers for
this franchise. Very applicable title you
have their Matt: Dynasty to Dysfunction.
I'll eat total crow if this doesn't happen, but if we stick to a conservative, west coast-esque offense, I can easily see Hill and Morgan becoming a dangerous (WR) tandem in the NFC West (within the given future).
This team has talent, it really does, it's just been ignored and misused.
Nice to see thye young wideouts get more time but, again, why won't the Niners consider moving Vernon Davis to defensive end, where he could be a real player, when it's clear now that he can't (1) catch passes a tight end must, (2) run proper patterns, and (3) break a tackle (i.e instead of slowing down or stopping before he gets hit)?
Thanks for info Matt. The Niners have been truly poor at drafting receivers and other positions. Singletary knew LBs and coached Willis at the Senior Bowl. Steve Young said it one time, listen to the people who played the position. They know what it takes to play the position in the NFL. Look who makes our personnel choices? That's your answer!
A little offtopic but do you know whats going on with the Santa Clara Stadium? I think their was suppouse to be some important city council elections there. Do you know anything about that?
I like the Dynasty to Dysfunction series. Pretty darn good for being "off the top of your head." And I especially like how you pointed out that John York had hired a head coach (Mike Nolan) who had absolutely no clue of how to call two consecutive offensive plays. I'll always wonder now, if Bill Walsh saw this train wreck coming. My guess is he probably did. Jed needs to make the same daring move that Eddie D. did all those years ago. Hire a young college coach, who is unproven at the NFL level. Someone who knows how to win. Someone who knows how to run an offense. That person is right under Jed's nose in the form of Jeff Tedford. You've never once mentioned him Matt, so I wonder if you really read these things or just dismiss the thought completely. But I watched Walsh at Stanford. And I've followed Tedford for a long time. The two coaches have a lot in common. Walsh developed quarterbacks. Tedford has developed his share of quarterbacks. Walsh ran a revolutionary offense. Tedford runs something very similar. Oh well. It's just my wish. My wish indeed.
Is Vernon Davis getting benched or suspended for that incident he caused? He shouldn't be unpunished for it.