Since Mariucci was fired after the 2002 season, the 49ers have not made the playoffs and their record 32-56. The Raiders are 35-77 in the post-Gruden era.
Now, Mariucci and Gruden are on the same team. They're analyst on the NFL Network and they'll be mighty busy this weekend during the draft. Today, they appeared together on a conference call. Here's what I asked:
Q: Here's a question I'm sure you expected from someone from the Bay Area . . . Jon, can you talk about the Raiders at No. 7, and, Steve, can you talk about the 49ers at No. 10? What does each of those teams need to accomplish in the draft to get in the ballgames in their respective division?
Mariucci: "Both of these teams have similar needs. It looks both teams can use a wide receiver and both teams can use some offensive line help to protect their quarterbacks, whoever the quarterbacks are going to be. The only caveat with the
Gruden: "I think the Oakland Raiders . . . I worked out JaMarcus Russell, I spent a day down there, and his ability to throw the football is rare. And Johnnie Lee Higgins was the Raiders' leading pass-catching wide receiver with 22 grabs. That's unheard of, when you think of the Dolphins who had three different guys catch 50 or more. You got to get a weapon, in my opinion, for the young quarterback so they can evaluate him. I assume they'll stare real hard at (Michael) Crabtree, should he fall to them - 40 touchdowns in two years, that would be hard to pass up. And Jeremy Maclin is a Joey Galloway-type player coming out of
Mariucci: "And you know what's going to be interesting over there, Gruds? We coached this guy, both of us, Jeff Garcia. Now he's with the Raiders. All of a sudden, there is a veteran guy who can step in and Tom Cable is going to run the West Coast offense with Ted Tollner as his coordinator. It just seems like there's going to be some pressure now on JaMarcus to have a good offseason, to study like crazy and be ready like crazy. I'm not suggesting there's going to be a short hook, but you have a veteran guy who knows that system to step right in if things don't happen early."
Gruden: "I got to think they're going to stick with JaMarcus because he's got too much talent, they have way too much invested, and he's too young of a player. They need to get him some help. Obviously, (Javon)
* * *
Could the 49ers secretly be targeting Freeman?
No way.
Who knows, but definitely not with the number 10 pick. A lot of people have Freeman falling to the second round though, so we'll see. I'm sold on Pat White though, kid's a beast.
BTW, does anyone know a good Giants blog I can follow? Went to the game on Saturday, I love how they blew the game for Lincecum. Oh well.
So, who's going to the 49er draft party? Matt, will you be walking the floor of the convention center or will you be locked away at 4949?
Hey Matt,
I think Mooch had a point when he said the 49ers QB has been sacked 55 times in the past 2 seasons. That pretty much sold me on a lineman as much as I would like an impact player like Crabtree. My question is... Is there anyone in this draft you would move up for? Anybody? Even if it's just one spot? Thanks!
Question: So, who's going to the 49er draft party? Matt, will you be walking the floor of the convention center or will you be locked away at 4949?
My response: I'll be there for the unveiling of the uniform. (My inside sources tell me the home jersey is red with white numbers and the road jersey is white with red numbers.) Then, I'll be back at 4949 to blog, Twitter and Facebook . . . oh, yeah, and write for the newspaper. --Matt M.
I watched Sanchez in an interview on NFLN this morning. They specifically asked him how he felt about possibly being a 49er. I'm paraphrasing, but he basically indicated that he wanted to go to a team where he would like to start right away, but if not would want to learn behind a "seasoned veteran, like a Matt Hasselbeck." Thus, he would prefer not to be a 49er. Its all good, go to Seattle, and get wrecked twice a year by the Niners like Warner will.
What I still don't understand is how people keep understating what S-Dot-Hill has done, not just last year but during his whole time as a 49er. This guy was successful under Hostler, and Martz. Hill put up good numbers last season, but people don't acknowledge it properly. Had it been someone else, with those same numbers, people would be ready to crown him. S-Dot-Hill should NOT be supplanted now. The team obviously trusts him, as proven by the vomit inducing play by J.T. O'Sullivan, in contrast.
My favorite is www.mccoveychronicles.com
The writer there is a guy named Grant and (no offense, Matt) he is far and away the funniest sports blogger or maybe even sportswriter I've ever read. Knows his stuff, too.
http://baybridgebaseball.com/
Supposedly, the new jerseys were leaked by a Reebok employee via cell phone. Front & back. I like them :)
Wow Matt. Your insdie source really came through with insider information on the jerseys. ;-D
Mouch said it all. 55 sacks per season for the last two years. The two previous were 2005 - (48)- 2006 - (36). Over the last four years we have given up 194 sacks. By far we are the worst pass protecting O Line in the NFL and we wonder why we don't have better QB Play? Don't buy the excuses it was Martz's fault as he was only one year (2008). It has been poor to average talent and play and a GM who failed to address the heart and soul of an NFL Team.
We need an O Tackle. They will be better next year but don't listen to the hype, they are nothing special talent wise. The stats are the proof!
Draft the best tackle available if a Special Playmaker doesn't fall to us.
Interesting to see Chuckie's comment on J Rus and not being able to judge him because he has no talent surrounding him...Hmmm, sounds a lot like Alex Smith being thrown to the wolves with the worst talent in the league around him, a no-nothing about offense HC, and the worst OC in the history of the NFL Hostler. Toss in a few no protection beatings so he is a one armed QB and we should all say he's a bust right? Maybe he the HC & GM know something we don't and believe he is a solid back up with potential to shine. They will pass on Sanchez if he's there. I never thought he was that impressive at SC, he was just surrounded by a pro team in college. Bottom line: QB is the most important position...if you surround him with talent. Keep putting the pieces in place and Hill will do fine.
BTW the average NFL sacks given up are about 32 per team. A great O Line gives up 20 or less. We averaged 48 a year over the last four years
Besides QB, Next most important positions to dominate are at DE/OLB (a killer pass rusher to knock the snot out of the opposing QB) and OT to protect your QB from the same. 4th is CB, if your corners can't cover you are giving up big plays all day, gotta have some good corner play. Any BAP at these positions would be great.
"and a GM who failed to address the heart and soul of an NFL Team"
We moved back up in the draft to grab Staley. McC also drafted Baas and Rachal with #2's and Snyder with a #3. Recently he signed Marvel as a RT. I'd hardly say he has failed to address the line. I think we have good potential in our line. I'd prefer we spend a #2 or #3 on a tackle for the right side. I don't see spending the #10 pick on a tackle to play the right side. A tackle taken that high should be your left tackle. Moving Staley back to the right side would seem like a bad move as well. I just don't see that scenario playing out.
Not having any more 52 step drops should also help. We just need the players to perform better. Having Sing motivating should help a bunch. Once SHill started and got the ball out quicker and on time, our sack numbers started to go down a bit. Also, if you are running the ball more, there is less chance of getting sacked.
man looking at 2006 makes me miss how Larry Allen changed our whole line, even though he came 4 games into the season or something. Even though he's a cowboy I still respect the "strongest man in the NFL" in 2006. I really wouldn't mind if rachal could turn into allen the 2nd.
Thank you Merton and PatW for the Giants blogs. Will the real Merton Hanks please stand up?!?!?!?
Yup, ditto. He also had a JJ next to him, when he was playing to up to his expectations. Niners gotta get a wicked OT at 10; Oher.
Here is what I hope the Niners do: 1. Pick one of the 4 top rated OTs. 2. If none are left, trade back, even if they can't make a "good" deal. Then pick the highest rated OT available. I'm all for picking the BPA with our first pick, as long as its an OT. If we don't get an OT that can play this year, Sing's Fhysical offense will only last as long as Marvel's back holds up.
You guys still need to consider the 49ers trading out of the #10 spot. I give it more thatn a 50% chance depending on the Seachickens passing on Sanchez. And if that does happen then you can throw out your original game plan because depending on who they trade with anything can happen after that.
I see a lot of repetition about the niners giving up 55 sacks last year. Does anyone have the number of sacks they gave up the last 8 games. Hill gets rid of the ball pretty quickly and David Baas and Chilo Rachal did a nice job. I know RT is the weakest part of our line, but you can not say that the line we have right now gave up 55 sacks. The line is definitely stronger. Its hard to imagine spending #10 on RT when you can really use Raji or Maualuga
We gave up about as many sacks in the last 8 games as a good team gives up in 16 games. We went from horrible to just bad. Last year 8 OTs went in Round 1. Do these teams know something? Does a pass rusher only rush from one side or at a critical point in a game might he test our RT? I hope Marvel is there for 16 games and the playoffs, but I hate the whole season riding on it.
It's too quiet. I have a feeling this will be a wild draft in the early going. Some major trades might be brewing. I hope the 49er "braintrust" is ready, and good enough for some draft day surprises.
Question: I see a lot of repetition about the niners giving up 55 sacks last year. Does anyone have the number of sacks they gave up the last 8 games.
My response: The 49ers gave up 34 sacks in the first eight games; 21 sacks in the last eight. Hill was sacked once every 12.5 passing attempts, while O'Sullivan was sacked once every 6.9 attempts. --Matt M.
21 sacks in the last eight games is still bad for the NFL. The average amount of NFL stacks given up is 32.4 for the whole season.
Hopefully they will improve, they have to if we want to get to the next level.
my god those numbers are atrocious. 1 in 7 a sack.
@RK in LA are you referring to the last play with joey porter and simms? Matt made a post that besides that one play, simms the back up did a fairly good job shutting porter down the whole game except that last desperate play. if gore were healthy we would have destroyed miami.
In my opinion the fact that the sack numbers went down in the second half had more to do with Hill releasing the ball quicker (JTO was holding on to the ball way too long in the first half) as opposed to the line playing any better. The combo of Snyder and Sims was awful the entire year. Chilo Rachal was terrible in the Dallas game, but played better otherwise. Staley did get better as the year went on, his worst game being the hoem Seattle game where Julian Peterson made him look bad a number of times.
I read Mooch's comment as an indication of his lack of confidence in Marvel Smith. If M. Smith stays healthy and plays to his pro-bowl form, we should have a solid O-line (Smith, Rachal, Heitman, Bass, Staley) and probably don't need to draft a tackle. However, if Smith cannot be relied upon, then left tackle is still the team's most glaring weakness.
BTW Matt, is there any buzz about the Niners drafting a big fullback in the 3rd or 4th rounds. Gore's numbers went down big time after Keasey was injured. Since Singletary wants to play a physical running game, maybe drafting a fullback in the Tom Rathman mold makes sense. I am just not sure there are any available with all these college teams playing the spread offense.
Question: is there any buzz about the Niners drafting a big fullback in the 3rd or 4th rounds?
My response: No. They paid good money for Moran Norris to be their fullback. They want a bigger back to complement Gore. They could probably get a fullback in the seventh round, if they're so inclined. --Matt M.
We need to draft a good OT...whether it's in the 1st or 2nd round. If we went with an Orakpo or Brown in the 1st, we could grab Meredith in the 2nd. I like Oher...if he's there at #10, he's a good pick. He could either become our LT (Ole Miss position) or understudy Marvel Smith at RT. It's going to take improved OL play, a better running game, & maturing young receivers to cut down the number of sacks. It all works together.
Hi Matt, This draft seems wide open, if someone makes a move the entire chart takes on a different path. I see in some mock drafts Eugene Monroe is falling, I hope we get a shot. I 've brought this up several times asking you to comment on seat licensing practices for new stadiums in pro sports. My relatives got a bill from the NY Giants for $40,000.00 for two seats on the 40 yard line, not to mention the ticket cost for each game. Will this mean that the common man will never see a game again. My family had the seats since the Giants were in the Polo Grounds. Are owners strangling the golden goose?
I thought the Sporting News had an interesting Mock Draft based on input from all their News Correspondents including your boy Barrows Matt.
Lions - Stafford
Rams - Monroe
Chiefs - Curry
Seachickens - Jason Smith
Browns - Crabtree
Bungals - Andre Smith
Raiders - Raji
Jags - Sanchez
Packers - Tyson Jackson
49ers - Orakpo
I would be very happy with this scenario. Imagine Haralson on 1 side & Rak on the other? Total mayhem as soon as the ball's snapped. Hell yes!
Shield, yes. I think we may be able to impose our will on offense with Marvel, Vernon Davis and Norris. But if Marvel doesn't hold up, we are a lot less imposing. A top OT would solve the problem for a decade.
Just remember, we have the option of drafting a RT this year. So if one of the top 4 isn't there, we can grab an OT later (2or3) and not reach too much.
Just in case you wondered why the sf exam sucked, their "sports" section had a mock with us picking Orakpo. The comment was "Manny Lawson clone". Are you kidding me?
Comment: I thought the Sporting News had an interesting Mock Draft based on input from all their News Correspondents
My response: I don't know. I think in that same scenario, I would've gone with Maclin. --Matt M.
Question: My relatives got a bill from the NY Giants for $40,000.00 for two seats on the 40 yard line, not to mention the ticket cost for each game. Will this mean that the common man will never see a game again.
My response: It's been going that way for some time. I'm not sure that the "common man" -- whatever that means -- won't be able to see a game. But, certainly, it's really difficult on the "common family." --Matt M.
Highest cost single seat, single game at the New Yankee Stadium...>$2000
Matt, along with your mock, any chance you'll be posting a list of how you believe the 49ers would have their board ranked for say the top 10 to 15 players. When I go through the picks and different scenarios, I have a hard time figuring out what they'd do if say, Orakpo, Oher, and Maclin where there, or, Crabree vs. Andre Smith, etc... thanks.
i believe this is the draft that takes us up or takes us back to rebuilding......we dont need a top 10 RT right now - we need a 2 or 3rd rounder RT to come in and seat for a yr behind marvel. - we can't get cabtree - i dont think we should settle for the 2nd best WR at number 10........LB, CB, FS, RB, QB, SS, FB, TE - none of this positions deserve the 10th pick......if we do pick one of this positions- i dont see how it is an upgrade from wht we currently have, talk less of the amount of money to be paid.....we do need a starting DE or DT - to replace Aubrayo and sopaoga both are meant to be backups - my guess right now is DE or DT - that makes the most sense.......the other scenario that makes sense is picking a top 5 Guard - since Bass might not be with the team next yr...but then again he has to seat on the bench...
It looks like Mooch is about as clueless about the Niners as he was when he was HC here.
He is in his proper place in front of a tv camera. That is what he did best when he was here .
oneniner,
You're kind of all over the place with your take & in the end you say DE or DT?...ahhh....HUH? You stated no on RT & I believe you're talking about Maclin as the 2nd best WR who by the way would be the fastest WR on the 49ers & could double up on being a solid Kick Returner. But DT or DE would make you happy but then you don't even drop names at those positions.
honestly, after lookin at all the prospects...i am not that excited about the number 10 spot.....no RT in round 1 because we would be paying top money for a rookie to seat on the bench, i am sure everybody agrees marvel was a good signing......something about Maclin to me says groin and injuries......those speedy guys from college always go down during the season when yu need them the most and it takes themn a while to recover....if you know me- you will know i am no fan of drafting WR's in the 1st round except if it cabtree........kick returner = dont we have two already on the team.......ok names - raji or everrette
Hi Matt,
Isn't it interesting that no matter who is talking about "what 49ers will be doing in the draft", they all say the same thing. It's like a broken record. Might as well print once and put everyone's name at the bottom.
Okay I understand your reasoning about the RT because I believe you're right about paying out alot of money to a player that's going to be sitting on the bench when the season starts while Marvel is on the field. But I believe the 49ers could get an impact player at #10 who will start when the season begins. I've also said that there's a very good possibility that if the the Seachicks pass on Sanchez then the 49ers will be in position to trade out for an extra 2nd round pick. Saturday can't come soon enough!
i have feeling sanchez is going to drop on draft day just like Quinn did......the nfl loves inventing non-stories......i agree saturday cant come soon enough
The Raiders' leading WR had....22 catches?
WOW. Just....WOW. That must be close to an NFL record-low.