Where do you get this stuff? This is great. This is exactly what a nit-picky football obsessed geek needs to tide him over until we get closer to the draft.

Question: Where do you get this stuff?

My response: These statistics are provided by the league to every team in the NFL. I'm not sure where else these statistics are availble. --Matt M.

Matt, I have heard from what I believe to be a very reliable source that Tom Rathman has been, or will be named 49er RB coach. Any truth?

"As good as right defensive end Justin Smith is, there are times when he gets such good penetration at the snap of the ball that he takes himself out of the play when it comes his way."

So what's the cure for this? Is Smith simply not adjusting to his reads properly? I've heard D linemen talk about their 'reads', one of which is the depth of the running back to determine run or pass. Would it help to move Manny to the left side and have a bigger backer behind Smith, or is smith simply not a 3-4 DE?

5yd average on the right end and left tackle is pretty disgusting.

Thanks Matt. Love Justin Smith. Turned out to be a solid FA pickup. Sounds like he needs to hold up on the penetration on 1st &/or 2nd downs. Should know teams tendencies based on previous week film study. Sure a smart OC can change that up but sounds like he should work on reading the play more on non-obvious passing downs.

Got to give Franklin big props. I dogged him all year but it turned out to be a coaching problem. Kudos to Sing & Manusky for fixing that & helping Franklin save his job. Good work Aubrayo!

IMO down the line we still really need a dominant 2-gapping NT. Franklin can then be a very good backup + part of a solid rotation through the games to keep everyone fresh. That badly needed NT will improve the play of EVERYONE...the DE's next to him, OLB pass rushers, CB/secondary play, & probably most important to keep Willis CLEAN. We'll get there. 1 step at a time.

I hope you know that looking at these statistics in isolation is pretty meaningless. Football is a team game so the offense plays a huge part (in general the better the offense, the better the defense). So does the caliber of opposition (we're now seeing the late season 49ers wins were over rather weak opposition). So does the game situations etc etc.

Best example I can think of was the awesome passing defense of the Raiders a season or so back. Nobody could pass on them according to the stats. Until you looked at the games. The opposing teams won the game in the first 10 mins and just ran the ball from there on out to get the game over fast. Turned out next year that the pass defense was crap like the rest of the Raiders game.

Or to put it another way. Due to the "much improved" offense & defense in the second half under Singletary, which first half teams would we have beaten that we actually lost to? Saints, Eagles, Giants or Pats?

"Best example I can think of was the awesome passing defense of the Raiders a season or so back. Nobody could pass on them according to the stats. Until you looked at the games."

I would disagree. If you were looking at total yards, I'd agree with you, but looking at the average per play is a good measure of where the strengths and weaknesses lie.

It was great to see Manny get on the field, as I think he is a dynamic, fast 'backer. Matt, my question is this - the 9ers are going to address the pass rush next year. If they get a OLB, who comes of the field, Lawson or Harrelson? Is JSmith going back to OLB? I assume Singletary thinks that Smith is a bit big to be in coverage.

Questions: the 9ers are going to address the pass rush next year. If they get a OLB, who comes of the field, Lawson or Harrelson? Is JSmith going back to OLB?

My response: Haralson is the team's best pass-rusher, so he's staying on the field, no question. Lawson was the first LB to come off the field this season. So unless he develops his pass-rush moves or proves more valuable than the person who played Spikes' role, he would come off the field. I think the days of Justin Smith as an outside linebacker are over. He proved he is a defensive lineman. --Matt M.

Tcbaytown - Who is your source? He is under contract with the Raiders and will need to be released or fired before he can snatched up by another team. Now - if they new coach comes in and cleans house that can happen, but to say its has already happened seems very premature to me.

Mike#2-- his contract expires next week. But it's still interesting that this guy has such "sources."

Justin Smith is at his best when penetrating and in pursuit. He is quick with a great motor. He isn't the 320 pound base end who can just sit there and gum things up. I kind of see him as a good 3-4 end, but a better 4-3 end in an attacking system. I wonder how his skills in our particular system really compare to Marques Douglas, who was no pass rusher but was very sound against the run.

Matt - In your opinion, was Lawson a better pass rusher before his injury last year? I'm a little surprised that you say he needs to work on his pass rush skills, as he had 7 sacks as a junior and 10.5 as a senior in college. Also, he was excellent in coverage his first year in the league, so I'm REALLY confused why they'd pull him on passing downs. Lastly, playing alongside / behind Smith would seem to allow him to more easily get to the QB, as the offense would be keying on Smith. Do you have any rough guesstimates as to how often Lawson was even asked to rush the passer?

Talking OC - "I recommend that Singletary look real hard at the QB coach for the Atlanta Falcons (another America's Sweetheart), Bill Musgrave. Musgrave brings an impressive résumé. He coached the offensive rookie of the year in the NFL, QB Matt Ryan. Many believe that Ryan is the best QB to come out as a rookie since Peyton Manning or Dan Marino.......

Another reason to make him the O.C. is he was a FORMER 49ers backup quarterback to the most heralded QB combination in NFL history, Joe Montana and Steve Young. He has worked with Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren and the great Bill Walsh. He knows what the West Coast offense is about and what being a 49er is about."

I really like the job Justin Smith has done. The stats are also misleading because he faced A LOT of double teams, which also took him out of plays.

While we lost all those games convincingly earlier in the year, by the end we were playing at least at a competitive level. So I'd give us a chance to win at least one of them if they had played in December. Strangely enough, I think the Giants might have been the one. Jacobs is their main weapon and we held him *mostly* in check in that game (69 yards on 17 carries). We could do even better now with Aubrayo playing better.

What killed us in that game was turnovers by JTO. 3 of them. Take those away, get rid of Nolan's bizarre clock management and get Martz to call a game suited to the Giants pass rush and it should be close.

Philly is a coin toss. Again, 3 SF turnovers, less likely to be repeated by the end of the year. Depends how hot Streaky.. err, I mean, Donovan McNabb is on any given day.

We still likely lose to New England and New Orleans. With Roman our pass D couldn't get it done. Which is why we need to address that this off-season. Taylor Mays, anyone?

I have a hard time believing Nolan would be hired by Green Bay. Nolan is pretty much a 3-4 guy, the Packers run 4-3 and have been built for such. We all know how long it took Nolan to install the 3-4 here, and he certainly never did a great job with it by any stretch, if anything he only confused guys half the time, making them "think" too much. The 3-4 is more intricate to operate, and harder to draft for with all its need for hybrid DE/OLB, etc....so go ahead Green Bay, by all means....hire Nolan to run your D after you've been drafting for and running the 4-3 for so long...take 3 steps back on your progress meter, we will appreciate it next year when we meet up!

i am officailly starting the "LETS DRAFT TERRANCE CODY" bandwagon!!!! this guy is the beast NT our team has been looking for....i know we have some huge needs in other spots, but with a 365 pound, 20 something nose tackle, and soap and smith at DE, that is scary. lets give patrick willis a mountain to hide behind, just to laser right on in on the ball. i would like everyone here to do there own research on the guy.
"LETS DRAFT TERRANCE CODY"!!!!

Cody isn't coming out this year.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=82264&draftyear=2010&genpos=DT

"Alabama's All-American junior nose tackle Terrence Cody confirmed tonight that he is not putting his name up to the NFL Draft advisory board and will return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season. "

Smith is 290 pounds and much more of a football player than an athlete. At his height, he's built like a 4-3 tackle and a 3-4 end. He plays a lot faster than he is and will never be a dominant pass rusher, but is very good at every part of his game and a very bright football player.

4-3 ends are usually extremely athletic, which smith is not, and either very quick, very strong, or both. smith doesn't really have the base to play 3-4 end but still manages to do a top notch job simply because of his motor and his hands, which keep linemen off him and allow him to position himself to stop the run.

The best NT in the Draft is BJ Raji. T Cody would also be a 1st rounder, probably top 15. If we're going to go the premier NT route Raji is it this year & we would have to use our #10 pick with it. (I think Raji is legit here IMO.)

The other NT prospects are Ron Brace/BC who plays next to Raji or subs in for him at NT. He's a projected 3rd-4th rounder. And there's a guy from Miami....Antonio Dixon who was formerly a 3rd round prospect. He came back from knee surgery this year & isn't back to form yet. He's dropped to being projected as a 7th rounder or UDFA. I think we should make him our project NT & stash him in the PS in place of Duckett if he doesn't make it. (Similar to what the Raiders did with Michael Bush. Or did they put him on IR? Not exactly sure how they did it.) Both Brace & Dixon have identical measurables: Both are 6-3, 330 lbs, & run a 5.3/40. I like going after Brace with our bottom 3rd round comp pick or 4th rounder if our scouts think he's a legit talent here.

I'll need to watch some tape on Raji.

A few bloggers here were keen on Cody from Bama, but he's had weight problems in the past and scouts will now question his stamina. During the Sugar Bowl game, he was taken out almost every third down just to hydrate.

On the topic of Lawson:

I dont know how many of you caught the last pre-game interview Joe Starkey had with Manusky, but I was shocked if not disappointed at Manusky's evaluation of Lawson. Starkey was pointing out players that he felt really had been coming on since Sing took over. He mentioned guys like J.Smith, Willis, Haralson and Lawson. In every instance you could tell how excited Manusky was about these players not only in his voice, but in the way he kept saying, "they are playing at a very high level.", except when it came to Lawson. He actually said something to the effect of "he's getting better and more comfortable with his knee", but certainly sounded a lot less excited. After hearing his interview I remember thinking, wow, the coaches sure dont seem that high on Lawson.
So I don't get it. To me Manny has the potential to be the second best LB we have (after Willis). If my memory serves me correctly didn't he have 2 blocked punts/field goal this year? We all remember how impressive he looked as a rookie, playing the OLB position for the first time. He's fast and has a lot of range. He has far more of an impact on a play by play basis than Haralson and his 8 meaningless sacks (not a critical point in the game). In fact, outside of an occasional sack I never even hear Haralsons name (or see).
Which brings me to my final point. Why are we all so convinced Lawson can't rush the passer? He has never been given a consistent shot. Matt had some great stats last week of all the "passrushers" who came out last year in the draft who haven't produced crap. Does that mean they can't passrush? Should the coaching staff give up? What about Mario Williams? He wasn't exactly lighting it up his first year. So Lawson had one rookie season in Nolans, Big sub defense. He was injured in his second year after two games (in which he showed promise). This year was his first year back from an ACL tear, yet he was blocking punts and flying around the field, but he can't rush the passer. BS!.......Give him a shot.

Ok I'm done. The medication has kicked in....lol

Taylor Mays is the only thing the 49ers should think about on draft day. Last year there was Cedric Ellis this year it's Taylor Mays. You have to take this young man if he is there at 10. Or trade up to get him.
He is brillant he is highly motivated on an off the field, a ball hawk and runs a 4.3 forty. The front three could be dealt with down the road in the draft Number 1 has to be Taylor Mays.

Wouldn't you consider McDonald's spot for upgrade if you are looking for a true pass rusher. In analyzing the stats that Matt put up McDonald gave up 4.91 yards per rush to his end and if you look he only had 1 sack...... Justin Smith had 7 sacks and had 4 sacks in the last 5 games. He also had 73 tackles 1 forced fumble and 1 int.. Franklin and Sapaoga will make for a good combo NT role.

DB is definitely a need!!

Franchise - here's a clip of one of Raji's games. I saw parts of his bowl game (actually burned it but haven't looked at it FT). Under the lights the guy shined. He had a great game. AT LEAST 1 sack, 1 forced fumble I believe. But watching him on practically every play he was UNBLOCKABLE. Got a quick 1st step, is explosive, & he usually gets 2-4 yards push in the backfield. A serious disruptive force. No more comfortable pocket the whole game from opposing QB's for sure with Raji. Lots of forced double-teams. He usually penetrates but he can anchor his ground too & cover both gaps vs the run. After that game he won't be under the radar anymore. One blogger says he's been consistent with that type of play all year. Saw him on the combine list. If he stays true to form he'll solidify himself as a top 10 I think when that's all done. He's already on Mayock & Kipers top 10 & there on some mocks.

RAJI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM3AmHWAGEg

John fr HB Cali - I have to agree with you. For me my 2 favs for immediate impact is Taylor Mays (6-4/225 lbs/sub 4.4-40) & Rey Maualuga (6-2/260 lbs/4.68-40/the perfect TED LB) Taylor is more the NEED/BPA guy. Rey to me is the closest to be surest special Willis-like star player reaching multiple PB's. I know people are probably sick of me promoting Rey but I have a man-crush on my guy & can't get a Maualuga-Willis tandem out of my mind. But either one of these 2 & I will be crazy exploded with joy. These 2 most definitely are my favs because we need SERIOUS INTIMIDATION, ENFORCERS, & establishing more FEAR for other teams to have against us. We need that on BOTH sides of the ball, just not even nearly enough on this team. Got to get some Ronnie karma back in here boys & hear/see some pads popping & bodies flying. What did he call them? Wooo hits.....yeah, that's what we need more of!!

I pretty much agree, Jersey. I wasn't suggesting I would not want Justin starting, just that those high-motor types generally excel in pursuit, and are less effective when you drive block right at them.

Also agree that if you have good people around him so that he sees fewer double teams, his production against both pass and run will look better.

FB should be addressed as well.... Gore needs someone to pave the way.... Team needs to run more plays to utilize 2 TE sets and get isolation and 1 on 1 matchups with either TE and a SS or LB... Sing will implement a system that runs smash mouth down hill running and then utilizes matchup and high % plays....

Mays could be the next Polamalu or Ed Reed. His run support will be huge and his ability to ball hawk will be key...

I previously said Everett Brown would be the 2nd best immediate impact NEED/BPA at our pick. The reason why I changed to Maualuga is I know Rey & have been scouting/watching him a ton of a lot more than I have EBrown.

do you think rey is a better 4-3 MLB or 3-4 ILB???

Definitely ILB at the TED spot. Prototypical size. Most LB's seem to be only in the 240 range. (Esp coming out of college.) At the TED spot where you're doing the dirty work you're taking on FB's, centers, & guards. Even tackles get out in front to that 2nd level too. That extra bulk is needed esp for durability IMO. In a 3-4 you've got help from the Mike (& the OLB who's closer to you...gaps between LB's are closer together than the 4-3). I say Rey is so ideal with Willis because Willis' forte is his range that he covers with his speed. Since Willis is the main threat he gets keyed on by the OLine...I don't see them really paying extra attention to Spikes. You put Rey in there that all changes. He can still make his share of playmaking at the TED & if you concentrate on Willis, Maualuga can still make the routine tackle but if you ignore him he will try & line up that big hit which is his forte' & what he thrives on. Now D's have to key in on Maualuga as well. Willis is now more free to roam like before & can now also go back to making more big hits. (Top all this off with a stud NT & our middle would be lights out. Total domination.)

In a 4-3 Maualuga lacks the complete side to side range at MLB. Too much space to cover. He runs a 4.68/40 where Willis is a 4.4. I see him more as an OLB in the 4-3 probably on the strong side where most of the running is done. (A 4-3 team could still try him at MLB.) Rey to me plays FASTER than his clocked time. He has excellent closing speed. Once he has his target within 3-4 yards he has good burst & usually gets his man.

The thing other thing that gets me amped up about Rey is his up the middle blitzes. He is so vicious when he gets that running start & he's fearless. He blows up centers & to RB's held back to protect shows no mercy. The average RB has no chance. If he gets a clean shot at the QB they're gonna feel it. That can be a big game changer. He's also good in dropping back in coverage. A complete LB. Sorry I got more into that than I should have. I just get psyched when talking about Rey. (Taylor Mays will have a similar impact in the secondary.)

great point realfan...official nfl stats are meaningless because they don't take the opponent and game situation into account. they basically assume that every play of the season is created equally, which is absurd on its face. that's why these stats are better:

http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl

i gave the link to matt in his offensive line post, but he apparently likes the official nfl stats better, or thinks his readers aren't smart enough to understand alternative (read "better") stats...jk matt. :-)

Mike, I'm with you on Raji...he's just what we need at DT/NT. I've been watching him all season...and he's the real deal. Agree, Mays is a guy we also need. I see in him the tools to become a real stud at FS...something we haven't had in quite awhile.

FWIW, here are a few FA DT's to consider: Rocky Bernard, Jovan Haye, Larry Triplett & Kedric Golston.

Justin Smith needs some more help around him...on the DL, in particular. I think he tried to do too much at times this season...he came oh so close to quite a few more sacks, but wasn't getting much help from his fellow DL. Solidify the DL and get that mad pass rusher and watch his game then.

Matt, are you sure about your statements about running to the right here? Lawson plays the strong side and Haralson the weakside, no? Which in a typical formation with the TE next to the RT would make Lawson the LOLB and Haralson the ROLB