So Goldson went through the entire offseason program with the No. 1 defense. He took a lot of reps and made a lot of progress in the complete understanding of the defense. The mental part of the game had always been Roman's strength. Coaches could always depend on Roman because they knew that he knew exactly what to do on any given play.
Question: I'm not too worried about the CBs; it's the safeties that concern me. Goldson has been injury-prone and I'm not real excited to see Roman back him up. If Goldson goes down, have the other young players shown enough to step in? Or are we back to looking at other teams rejects to fill a hole? (mbniner)
Answer: Roman was given permission to seek a trade in the offseason. But when his agent checked around the league, there were no teams willing to acquire him, at a price, with the intention of making him a starter.
The 49ers gladly welcomed him back - OK, he never left.
Goldson has good size. He is a big-hitter. He is tough. He played cornerback at the
With Goldson slated to start at free safety, veteran Michael Lewis returns at strong safety. In reality, these positions are pretty similar. However, Lewis' strength is playing closer to the line of scrimmage in run support.
The club will take a long look at seventh-round pick Curtis Taylor, second-year player Reggie Smith and Lewis Baker, who will enter his second camp with the club, to gauge the readiness of those players.
However, as things stand right now, Roman is being viewed as the top backup at both spots. One of the youngsters is going to have to impress on the field and in the classroom to vault over Roman. I do not envision the 49ers picking up another team's castoff to fill the role as a primary backup at safety.
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How would you spend a vacation? I doubt many of you would think traveling with two other adults and five children under the age of 7 for six days and five nights - and mixing in a 26.2-mile run - sounds like a much fun.
Well, so far, so good.
I'm posting this blog from
Although I ran my marathon as a snail's pace - 80 minutes slower than my PR - I still don't have a whole lot of bounce in my step two days later. Mike's Peak at the 49ers' practice facility in
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I honestly don't think it matters who starts at saftey or corner if Manny Lawson and Parys Harrelson can't get a pass rush. Ed Reed can't force a turnover with out the Pass rush. I'm happy Goldson is going to start if healthy, but don't expect a dramatic change unless the team can get to the QB.
Be careful what you ask for, it might be the time for a little revenge if the 9ers let you up on Pain Peak (Mount Mike).
In all honesty, instead of drafting OG's high every year, we really need to keep drafting CB/DB's pretty consistantly. It seems like one of our top 3-4 CB's blows out a knee every year. It causes a problem because we need 3 good ones and a nickel. Also we keep switching guys to safety.
I keep thinking of how most other positions have been brought along slowly to become productive players except QB and Willis (special case). Goldson, balmer, Rachel, Lewis, Brown all were given a chance to learn the system slowly. Hopefully Davis can get that chance.
I hear what you're saying Jon.
On Defense personally I would rate these positions as tops to go after in the high RD's, Day 1. (You could also maybe incl. RD 3)
1) Nose tackle - because we play a 3-4 Defense he's the center piece, the anchor. It all starts with him. He needs to be DOMINANT. If he could be unmovable who commands double teams & also has the ability to push back the pocket that makes EVERYONES play better...he causes the DE's next to him to more effectively occupy their blockers or penetrate which in turn allows the OLB's pass rushing & ILB's jobs easier & onto the back end with the CB's & Safeties who benefit. It's a big domino effect that's a positive one SO LONG AS HE'S A DOMINANT NT. He's the main guy who stops the run & pushes back the pocket vs the pass to make the QB uncomfortable.
2) Pass rusher - you just need that #1 stud playmaker who can pressure or get to the QB PERIOD. After that #1 guy we should have 1-2 more solid compliments. No pass rush = death by the potent passing teams. And this is a passing league.
3) CB's - After you take care of the run & control the point by your NT, then pressure the QB, now you have to shut down the playmaking potent top WR's in the league. First & foremost for us to shut down Fitzgerald & Boldin.
FYI here's the top 3-4 NT's in the game today. The majority were drafted in RD's 1 & 2....
1) Jamal Williams / San Diego / 6-3, 348 lbs / RD 2 (Supplemental Draft)
2) Vince Wilfork / New England / 6-2, 325 lbs / RD 1
3) Casey Hampton / Pittsburgh / 6-1, 325 lbs / RD 1
4) Shaun Rogers / Cleveland / 6-4, 350 lbs / RD 2
5) Kris Jenkins / New York / 6-4, 350 lbs / RD 2
6) Kelly Gregg / Baltimore / 6-0, 315 lbs / RD 6
Gregg is an exception who's below the prototypical NT size/weight which is approx 6-4 & under & 325+ lbs. But he makes up for it with superior technique & leverage. His background is he's a State Champion wrestler.
Jay Ratliff is Dallas' NT at 305 lbs, another exception. I dunno how he does it.
It always amazes me how we as fans can boil down a players effectiveness by looking at 1 statistical category. I think the average defense plays roughly 1,000 snaps in a season. If you figure half those snaps are pass plays, then Roman has been involved in covering around 500 pass plays per season (less any times rushing the qb). If a player intercepts 7 passes of the 500 he's covered, he is considered to have had a very good year. So if we only judge the interceptions as being effective, then we are saying a player is great if he's effective 1.4% of the time.
Don't get me wrong - I'm on the Goldson bandwagon. We need a change at the position to generate more turnovers either thru int's or fumbles caused by hard hits. It's just so interesting how we always point to the interceptions as a reason to get rid of Roman. I guess it's true what they say, Chicks dig the long ball.
Last 14 days I logged 2,300 miles in a mini-van w/my two sons. I can only say that if I hear one more word about Lego Indiana Jones Video Game I'm going to LOSE IT!!!!
I'll also include this regarding who should be targeted as high RD Draft picks.
I've been researching some of the top 3-4 DLINES & I'm becoming more & more convinced that this is the most important component of any Defense.
Let's take the PATS DLINE for example.
1) Vince Wilfork / NT / STARTER / 6-2 / 325 lbs / 21st overall, 2004
2) Ty Warren / DE / STARTER / 6-5 / 300 lbs / 13th overall, 2003
3) Richard Seymour / DE / STARTER / 6-6 / 310 lbs / 6th overall, 2001
4) Jarvis Green / DE / 1ST RESERVE / 6-3 / 285 lbs / 4th RD, 2002
5) Ron Brace / NT / 1ST RESERVE / 6-3 / 328 lbs
6) Le Kevin Smith / DE / 1ST RESERVE / 6-3 / 308 lbs
7) Mike Wright / DE / RESERVE / 6-4, 295 lbs
8) Myron Prior / DE / RESERVE / 6-0 / 314 lbs
The PATS Front 3 are ALL 1ST ROUND PICKS & has been the staple of their past multiple championship Super Bowl wins. Add Jarvis Green in the mix who’s been a key contributor & between the 4 they’ve accounted for 78 sacks in 7 seasons = 11 sacks per year consistently for 7 years.
Wilfork / 1 Pro Bowl. Seymour / 3 Pro Bowls. Warren / who's been underrated & many feel should have had 1 Pro Bowl.
Written by many PATS sportswriters the staple of their Defense is their stud dominating FRONT 3. Some are starting to get old & Belichick of course is working on their replacements. NE drafted 3 more DL-men in this past Draft & have many more on the roster...present reserves & UDFA’s.
FYI NE DL article:
http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/patriots/11543
nice list mike_in_md.
I've made similar comments on lynch's blog. THe one thing you need to do is distinquish between the one and 2 gap responsabilities. Hatcher had something like 8 sacks last year. I suspect that he's not playing the traditional 2-gap NT but the Bum Phillips penetrating one gap system. Hampton 2 gaps and is just a stud as is Jason Fergueson (the first player Parcells brought over from Dallas to the Dolphins last year).
Your list of DEs also illustrates what I've been trying to say for the past year or so, which is Justin Smith is an undersized DE (yes he's active and stong and a playmaker but he isn't a 3-4 DE that can hold his ground).
Over at sfgate's blog it says that niner players call Franklin (the NT) as the most underrated player, with accounts of his ability to 2 gap keeping blockers off of the ILBs and his ability to penetrate. I only saw Franklin do the penetrating, I don't think I ever saw him cause a pile up in the middle.
I've always believed that it all begins up front w/ the big boys on offense and defense. Re: defense, the d-line makes all the difference. An effective d-line can cause a team's offense to adjust their scheme. Crowding gaps to disrupt runs and taking on double teams to let the LB's cause chaos is characteristic of a good d-line, imo. It seems like the Niners have always lacked a good rotation for their 3-man front, which is crucial if you're going to have lighter (relatively speaking) and quicker d-linemen.
I think it's gonna be a good year though, I see more coverage sacks w/ D.Gold, Clements and Brown/Bly back there. And hoping Curt Taylor can carve out a spot on the 53.
Matt,
Caravaning with the kids must be a lot like writing this blog. You write a post about safeties, and everyone responds about ... nose tackles?? I hope they're not suggesting we run a couple of 300-pounders out there at safety!
Last year, the final safety spot went to Keith Lewis, who was a major ST contributor. Have Smith, Taylor, or Baker played much on ST? Has the team spent any time during the OTAs working on special teams, and have you noticed any of these 3 players out there?
I saw the roster you researched with Dallas' DLine a while back. I also want to look into what they're doing & how they're assembling their front 3. Same with San Diego.
Sorry if I'm taking too much space in this blog entry Matt. But I think this is good info to show & talk about. Since we're running a 3-4 we should be looking at what the "best" are doing with theirs & trying to learn from them.
Here's what I have on Pittsburgh...
1) Casey Hampton / NT / STARTER / 6-1 / 325 lbs
2) Brett Keisel / RDE / STARTER / 6-5 / 285 lbs
3) Aaron Smith / LDE / STARTER / 6-5 / 298 lbs
4) Chris Hoke / DT / 1ST RESERVE / 6-2 / 305 lbs
5) Travis Kirschke / 1ST RESERVE / DE / 6-3 / 298 lbs
6) Nick Eason / DE / 1ST RESERVE / 6-3 / 305 lbs
7) Evander Hood / DE / 1ST RESERVE / 6-3 / 300 lbs
From recent 2009 Steelers DL analysis article:
(http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2009/5/13/874136/pittsburgh-steelers-2009-roster)
"In 2008 the Pittsburgh Steelers once again had one of the most DOMINANT DEFENSES in the NFL, allowing only 80.3 rushing yards per game THANKS IN LARGE PART TO ONE OF THE BEST DEFENSIVE LINES in the NFL. The three main starters consisting of Hampton, Keisel, and Smith combined for 123 tackles, and 7 1/2 sacks."
Allforfunnplay you know we're both on the same page as far as going after the prototype size/weight that 3-4 DE's & NT's should be. I think it makes a BIG difference. You just need those bigger bodied stout athletic players to control the DL that typically 4 players would do in a 4-3. They are harder to find & come by which is why the very good to great ones get taken on Draft Day 1. But I'm starting to change my tune on JSmith a little. If you look at NE's Green (key contributor) & Pitt's Keisel (starter) they're 4-3 DL who are effective so we s/b OK with one great typically 4-3 guy. Smith is more active than probably many of the 3-4 DE's. But I still highly prefer the right prototypical players for the position. Give me a JSmith in a 3-4 DE's body & he'll be a monster. That's what I'd be looking for. (For example Nk Suh/Nebraska in next years Draft..his scouting report looks awesome.) For now get us our stud monster franchise NT & that should draw the attention in the middle to allow Smith to do a consistently good job on his side. Get us that beast NT & I'd be stoked bigtime!
I am not really advocating Goldson by statistical production, although that seems to be a great way of doing a comparision. I think your analogy is a bit off though, because a safety really doesn't do as much pass defending. Also, out of the 500 ish plays you're talking about, they don't throw at the same guy all the time.
Goldson, to me, represents more of a philosophical change that a metrics-based decision. Roman was a good, conservative, well-positioned saftey in the "bend don't break" mold of Nolan. Vanilla ice-cream. He would be a great back-up because he is a consistant, known quantity. Goldson is a younger, faster play-maker who has been on the roster for a couple of years. It is time to see what he is capable of showing on the field. In order for our team to progress, there needs to be competition. Goldson also represents Sings/Manusky's vision of an aggressive defense. Not necessarily risk taking, aggressive. Instead of schemeing and confusing the opposition (and our own players) with the Mighty Morphin' Hybrid Scheme, they have simplified the scheme and are looking to improve personel. Now that we have talent, we should use it to let them go out and make plays, instead of sitting back and tricking them.
Wow..your right petulaman. I didn't even notice I got so into the NT & front DL positions. It's becoming an obsession with me. I want us to dominate there SO BAD. (I want PW to come off clean & start annihilating ballcarriers regularly again like in his Rookie season.) Sorry Matt. Jon in So Cal brought up the need to draft high for CB's & from there it took off with me. I'll try to stay on topic.
2010 mock draft -
Niners select -
Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama or Taylor Mays, S, USC
If our record is horrible we pick Mays. - pick 1-10
If we make the playoffs we pick Cody -pick 20 -32
Let's not get ahead of ourselves on Goldson. He plays well in practice & has made some good tackles on gameday. I have yet to see him break up a pass or get an INT in a live game. I too have high hopes for him & am pulling for him because of our dire need for a playmaker at Safety.
The concern I have is his scouting report out of college & that's his lack of speed. He runs a 4.6/40 which is questionable if that's good enough at Free Safety. He does have good instincts & seemingly good ball skills & hopefully that makes up for his average speed. How well he understands the Defense, what the opponent is doing, & his weekly film study should help him. I know a lot was because of his inexperience but in his limited time at Safety he got burned a few times. But again that is to be expected with him being new at the position.
I disagree with you that the Safety doesn't do a lot of pass defending. The SS doesn't, but the FS does & is expected to be good at it. Of course Ed Reid comes to mind who has the highest INT's in the league. The FS acts as the 2nd DB on the deep runner or when we want to double a dangerous #1 WR. Back in the days our own Merton Hanks broke up many passes & got many INT's as the FS. He should also be able to be physical to help out on run support & make tackles on any ballcarrier but his Defense vs the pass especially against the long ball should be his #1 strength IMO.
Mike in MD,
No worries - I'm just poking fun at you. Hey, my kids sometimes roll their eyes when I'm the one off on a tangent.
Safety is a very underrated position. If a LB blitzes, they may have to step up and cover the TE or stuff the run. If the O floods the field with WRs, they may be in man coverage. In zone coverage, we want them to sniff out the play and get a pick. In their spare time, they should be sacking the QB. Like the TE, the greats are immortalized, but the very good "get no respect".
Well to sort of stay on topic we're looking at direct and indirect factors into better play out of the defensive backfield.
So Mike's basic premise is this:
Better D Line Play = Better Defensive Backfield Play
The most obvious sub-equation is:
Better Pass Rush = Less Passes and More Opportunities for Defensive Back Plays (ints, pass defenses etc...).
Less obvious is:
Better play by the DEs and NTs (3-4) = Better Play by the Pass Rushers = Better Defenise Backfield Play. If the downlinemen either tie up blockers or disrupt the blockers then the pass rushers (the OLBS in the base 3-4) can get to and either sack the QB or disrupt the pass enough to cause an off target/errant throw.
Even Less Obvious:
Better Run Stuffing by the front 7 = Better Pass Defense play by the DBs.
If the Front 7 hold first down to 2nd and 3rd and long it creates obvious passing downs (or higher probability anyway). This allows the pass rushers to key in on the QB "pin their ears back" and not worry as much about reading for a run play. This leads to a higher likelyhood of getting to or disrupting the QB. Also the DBs can now key on the pass as well and even play a little safer and deeper if its 2nd or third and long. The key to stopping the run in the base 3-4 is the Nose Tackle.
So again, all the D-Line talk is related to the main subject of better Defenisve Back Play.
Nice. I like the Cody pick. Hopefully he has another solid year. So far there's only 2 legit 3-4 NT's in next years Draft. The next is Boo Robinson from Wake Forest who's a 2nd-3rd RD prospect. Renoberger likes Dan Williams from Tennessee. But he's undersized & so far isn't anything special. He has a lot of work to do this year. So far I just don't see him in the mix.
Don't discount Wilfork. If Brace can show BB something to think he could succeed as Wilfork's replacement they just might not extend Wilfork the money he wants. You know NE has a rep of going cheap at times. Wilfork to me is more valuable than Haynesworth because he's a true 3-4 NT & in his prime. He would take our Defense instantly to the next level!!
Exactly!!!!!!!
Great post. The nose tackle has to be DOMINATING. A true starting franchise #1.
I'm not a fan of run stuffing Strong Safties (SS) (like Micheal Lewis) that are liabilities in pass coverage. If you have to routinely bring your SS near the line of scrimage to gain an advantage to stop the run, then to me that just means you don 't believe your front 7 can do their jobs. Don't get me wrong, I believe in stopping the run is incredibly important and that your front 7 HAVE TO DOMINATE IN THE TRENCHES but this is a pass happy league and I'd prefer my safties to be able to cover well. That's not to say that to change things up or to take advantage of certain opponent's offensive tendencies I wouldn't bring the SS up to make a play but I wouldn't have a run stuffing specialist as my regular starting SS.
Keep in mind, that it usually takes a few years for Defensive Linemen to be molded into Nose Tackles. Its one of the toughest position because of the incredible physical demands but also because of the instincts needed (to sense how opponents are going to block and neutralize you). Usually DTs that are taken to become NT are usually tried out first at DE. In fact I think that's how Green Bay is going to bring along BJ. Raji. I would not be suprised to see Brace tried out at DE first too.
We have two 1st round picks next year...with one we take Cody. We have our NT. With 2nd, we take Mays or Berry, we have our FS if Goldson doesn't pan out. If Goldson does play well, we get the best OL on the board. NE has made an art out of taking top DL and OL for years...we need to do the same thing. Everything starts up front, on both sides of the ball.
Not to sound like a traitor...but I read all the blogs. Did anyone else read Barrow's post this week where many SF defenders -- including Spikes, who deserves respect -- think that Franklin is the most under-rated player on the team? Some went as far as to say he's one of the top NTs in the NFL. That stunned me because he always seems small and ineffective to me... But their point was this: he does the little things that allow guys like Willis to rack up 140 tackles, and he's so smart that he disrupts plays without you noticing unless you just isolate on what he's doing.
I think you guys do not respect the job Franklin has done for us at the NT position. He should have gone to the probowl IMO.
Sorry, it was actually Lynch's blog at the Chronicle (see, I really do read all the blogs...). Here you go: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ninerinsider/index
that's lynch's blog not barrows' about franklin.
i have to admit, i was a bit suprised. i've never seen franklin hold the point in the middle and create a pile up. when singtary simplified things and went with a straight attacking 3-4 defense which allowed more single gap penetration, I started to see plays made by Franklin the backfield, but I never saw him tie up blockers and clog the A gaps. he might mak a better End.
I would have to respectfully disagree w/ your opinion on SS's. A requirement for the SS position is having run-stop ability. SS's are the 3rd line of defense (no pun intended). If a RB/FB/TE gets to that level they have to be able to lay hat on them. Esp. now, in a league that features WRs that are built like oak trees and are as fast as sports cars, tackling ability is a supreme priority. I would say that I would even scarifice some coverage ability if my SS is an A+ tackler. CB's are supposed to cover passes, safties are only supposed to help in coverage and prevent YAC, for the most part.
I am not sold on Goldson either, but I am just saying it is time we see what he's got. He's been on the roster for a few years, so he should know the system. He has proven to be a bit injury prone though, so that's a concern. Roman is a known quantity, but a safe, average one. Let's see if Goldson's got the goods. If he doesn't, Roman can step in. BTW, how do we know what the market is like for a Roman-like safety? His agent went to every other team in the NFL to see if they could work out a trade so he could be a starter and didn't find any takers.
Two other points
!. The 9er safety positions are supposed to be interchangable for the most part, or so Sing and Matt have been saying for quite some time,
2. I agree think a dominating D-Line is important. I find it interesting that other 3-4 teams are carrying 7-8 DL. We have 6 and are comfortable with that.
I'm not disrespecting Franklin. I just don't see him as a dominant true franchise starting NT for the 3-4. I also at the Gate proposed that he might be a better DE where he could use his strength with his penetrating style vs more 1 on 1 matchups & his size at 315 lbs where he worked himself down to is a better fit there IMO. I just see him as a quality #2 backup (in the same light I see Sean Hill as a #2 QB at best.) I'm just glad Sing/Manusky made the adjustment to allow him to be more effective at the nose & able to contribute. Also he's no Kelly Gregg who dominates the middle despite being undersized. He is who he is.
Now can he possibly take it up a notch this season & grow into being the legit starting #1 anchor? Maybe, but I just don't see it. Think of how Michael Carter dominated the middle back in the days..do you see that in him? There's quite a gap there. I don't see him at the same level as the Hamptons, Williams, & Wilforks of the league. Opposing teams don't fear or take note of Franklin. I also do not see him clogging up the middle & consistently drawing double teams. He's quick & gets penetration into the backfield at times & upped his playmaking/tackles last season. I'm also not sold on him vs 3rd & shorts & goal line situations. He's a solid #2. IMO he's continuing to challenge for that spot next year with Sopoaga & a contract extension.
i'm not saying that the strong saftey shouldn't be the better tackler of the two safties and in fact should be closer to the line of scrimage than the free saftey. and i agree that he has to be one of the last lines of defense to stop the break away big run. but in a league that prominently features teams that run multiple reciever sets and in which aspects of the spread offense are being adopted by more and more teams, i believe that it is more important that BOTH of my safties can cover and that neither of them should be liabilities in coverage. there's too much old school thinking IMO about the SS posiion back in the old days when 3 yards and a cloud of dust was the norm. yeah, it made sense to to have run stuffing safties with some coverage experience. but that's not today's NFL. its predominately a passing league. and if you have to RELY on a run stuffng SS, then YOU DON'T HAVE FAITH IN YOUR D'LINE'S ABILTY TO STOP THE RUN.
SO what are your options against multiple reciever offensive sets? predominately play nickel with your nickel back covering the slot reciever and bringing your SS up to the line of scrimage to support the run? (this is sort of what Nolan's "Big Nickel" defense was). Basically' you've replace the TED ILB with a nickel corner and are compensating with the SS. Kinda of leaves you weak against the power run game.
Or do you play your base defense (except in obvious passing downs) and rely on your front 7 to defend the run and your DBs to defend the pass. Your TED ILB will do a better job against the Run then even a good run stuffing ILB and you have more versatility out of the 3-4 alignment. But to do this requires flexability with your safties to be able to cover man and zone. SS that are liabilities against the pass will kill you if a good OC and QB target him.
The game has changed a lot since then, but Michael Carter was a dominant NT for the 49ers from 1984 to 1992, and he only weighed in the 280's.
Guy McIntire only weight about 265 or less at the end of a season. I think Jessie Sapolu weight in the 270's. These days O-Linemen are undersized if they're under 300 lbs. I think Cross, Ayers and Adyck were in that 240 -260 range. QBs are bigger than that these days!
bigger, stronger, faster.
Cool, I see a discussion about safeties is breaking out! Ideally, you want at least 1 lay-em-out safety, but you need both to be solid pass defenders for maximum versatility. I'm OK with our starters this year, but a couple of injuries and we'd be relying on Smith, Taylor, or Baker. Michael Lewis has been a solid player for so long, it's hard to remember that he's only 29.
The NT thing seems to me the flip side of the situation with the competition between the 2 players Who Must Not Be Named lest this discussion succumbs to their incomparable powers to highjack threads. We're trying to build a team here. It would be nice to have a dominant player at every position, but impossible. It's more important to have good players backing up every starter than to have a dominant player at any position. There's more to NE's recent success than their DL.
I feel you All4, forgive me if I misunderstood. I would agree that a good defense should not rely on their DB's to be primary run-stoppers, b/c that's just not in their job description. As a close second "must have" quality though, I feel they most definately should posess Lott/Polamalu/Dawkins type abilities. I.e. they can be trusted in deep coverage, and is the kind of tackler that won't make you hold your breath and pray he doesn't get trucked by a RB or TE.
Congratulations on the marathon finish. Ouch, I know that one hurt. Are you still walking funny? Recover well and you'll be back out there.
Safties that are hard hitting tackles are luxuries IMO. In the 80's I worshiped at the football alter of Ronnie Lott. I still remember on a Monday Night Game where the Bronco's Steve Atwater came charging to the line of scrimmage to meet head up on a 260 lb Christian "The Nigerian Nightmare" Okoye (a Cheif and the NFL's leading rusher in 1989)...Atwater rocked Okoye so hard you could hear it on TV.
But would I have Atwater (in his prime)on my team today? No because he's a liabliity in coverage. Remember, Ronnie Lott started out as a corner so he had hands and coverage skills in addtion to his ferocious hitting. Polamalu was a liability in covrage in his first couple of years in the league but he's become a solid cover guy (not great but not a liability) in addition to his awesome tackling ability.
I think Safties should be created out Corners that can tackle and read and diagnose plays. There's been some criticism of McCloughan (niner's gm) picking "tweeners" at the DB position. Goldson and Smith were both corners and safties in college and both have tackling hitting skills. so if McC got them to play corner? then he failed. if the plan were to convert them to safties? then I can see his reasoning and we'll see how it turns out.
Many of the writers, Matt included in today's blog,repeatedly claim that the two safety positions on the 49ers are so similar that they are almost interchangeable. I cannot believe that is true. Lewis can't cover his grandma; if it weren't for his skills against the run he would be out of a job. If that same skill set were applied to the FS we couldn't cover anybody ... or perhaps that's been the problem.
Ooooohhhh All4, you had me until you said you wouldn't take an "in his prime" Atwater! C'mon bruh, if you have a SS that is that kind of a physical threat, there are a lot of WRs who are going to have to respect that ability, and won't be too bold about taking their routes in your general area. That is what you call a "game-changer." No disrespect to Roman, but if you're going to run a post All4, who are you going to be worried about most; M.Roman...or T.Polamalu? Me personally, I'm not a fan of mushy ribs and collapsed lungs...you?
Kidding aside though, I believe we have a hit-squad w/ Clements, D.Gold and M.Lewis that should be pretty consistent in coverage, so that'll work for me for now.
even the rules in the NFL wouldn't allow for many of the hits that Atwater and Lott were known for. Again, loved watching those hits but Atwater was a liabilty in coverage.
There's no question about Roman or Polamalu. Polamalo can hit and cover. All Roman can do is call the defensive asignments.
Many have suggested Clements would be a good saftey because he's a forcefull tackler. I agree but we don't have any better Corners to replace him so he stays at Corner for now.
I disagree Petulaman. In certain key positions on a team IMO you need stars (= dominant player) or very good players at that position.
On Offense it's your LT, #1 WR, & QB of course. The better job you do (with some luck) in being successful in acquiring dominant players in these positions the higher your odds are of being BETTER than the opposing team. And I would say 9 times out of 10 if you're better in these key positions than the opposition overall your going to be THE better team. The support/complimentary players still have to be solid. That's on the GM again to do the homework & get good talent to fit the schemes we're running.
It's identical on the Defensive side. Again I stress since we're running a 3-4 THE CENTRAL KEY THAT MAKES THAT WHOLE SCHEME WORK 100 to 110+ % is getting an absolutely DOMINATING NT. The evidence stares you right in the face by looking at the top 3-4 teams in the league, that's why I listed those NT's. (PITTS, NE, SD) Also you need a dominant true #1 pass rusher. Those 2 pieces you DO need to become a top of the line 3-4 team. The TED, & 2ND OLB rusher are complimentary pieces. Same with the DE's. (But remember the O/D lines are the most important components on both sides of the ball. You must also aim to KEEP ACQUIRING THESE PIECES & NOT STOPPING UNTIL YOU GET IT RIGHT.) At MIKE LB I think you need a dominant player here because he's your main tackler...you could probably get by with a very good one. At CB I believe AT ONE OF THOSE SPOTS you need a shutdown corner. You ARE going to play playoff teams, teams in your division, & the very good teams throughout the league who'll have a #1 dominant WR so you need 1 of your corners to be a dominant shutdown CB. The 2nd CB, not so much but you'd like him to be good to very good. At Safety the FS IMO is the key primary piece between the 2. Again you could get by with a good to very good one here but I'd really strive to get a stud here..he's the icing on the cake that can add to your forced turnover numbers &/or shutdown teams vs the long ball/big plays.
So in recapping with the 3-4 IMO you NEED a DOMINANT..... 1) NT 2) pass rusher ......then with ANY defense you need a dominant......3) shutdown CB ...& you'd like to get a dominant 4) MIKE LB 5) FS. The remaining pieces are complimentary & can be made up of good solid supporting talent THAT MATCHES YOUR SCHEME.
Oh I wasn't suggesting Clements play safety, I was just referring to him as far as the Niners DBs go.
I agree that the rules, while ensuring the utmost safety and welfare of the players, have hindered a lot of the skilled wood-laying individuals who's style of play have pretty much made this league what it is.
I also argue that you need an impact type kick/punt returner. I totally agree with Parcell's high value of ST's which many teams undervalue. Getting excellent field position to start & stopping the opposing team from getting that advantage is a HUGE key in trying to win games.
NE is a prime example of what I just said. They have a DOMINANT.....
On OFFENSE
1) QB - Brady - the best in the NFL.
2) #1 WR - Moss
3) Slot WR - Welker - also the best in the league.
On DEFENSE
1) NT - Wilfork - 1 Pro Bowl
2) DE - Seymore - 3 Pro Bowls
3) DE - Warren - who sportswriters have said is underrated & should have had 1 Pro Bowl.
4) MIKE LB - Mayo - is a budding potential superstar
In their SB runs they had dominant players in....
5) LB - Bruschi
6) LB - Vrabel
7) FS - Harrison
Among these last 3 I'm fairly sure there's a few Pro Bowls in there.
Bruschi - 2 Pro Bowls
Vrabel - 1 Pro Bowl
Harrison - 2 Pro Bowls
(On ST's I forgot to add they had Vinatieri who was the best kicker in the NFL for a long while.)
If I see one more post with Patriot player names and # of pro bowl appearances, I might toss a sidewalk pizza.
Mike I couldn't agree more about the NT being the #1 KEY to a top 3-4 defense. I loved Wilfork at the U and prayed the niners would be smart enough to take him and they could have TWICE and they traded down twice and picked up Rashaun Woods.... Man I am telling you the best NT to come out of college since Wilfork is coming out in next years draft.... Terrance Cody from Alabama is a flat out beast, the 49ers draft him and they are a top 6 defense easy. Terrance Cody is the truth and will be dominant at the nfl level no doubt in my mind!
I've got to believe we had our eyes on Brace or Ziggy in Aprils' Draft and got punked on both.
I still would be willing to explore a compromise with NE by which they could sign him to a favorable extension and then Trade him away.
I'd be willing to dangle pick #2 in Rd 1 for a proven, start now, 3-4 NT regardless of who's ranked where in April.
Here's one for you Matt. Which projected 2nd stringer do you think has the best chance of becoming a full time starter during the course of the season (besides Alex Smith).
Hey BallGame, yeah it makes me want to yak too but it's our turn now to learn from numero uno. It used to be everyone was learning from us. Those days are a long time ago.
Reggie - I'm just now learning about that Wilfork curse courtesy of Renoberger. Damn..we traded down TWICE for Woods?? What an absolute sin. Wouldn't that be something if we could make amends & worked something out to get him from NE or go after him in FA if they decide not to extend or franchise him next year?? That = instantly going to the next level(s) with our Defense. (I believe they already have a backup NT plus just drafting Brace this year. Will have to double check that.)
I'm with you on Cody but he'll take a year or 2 to develop. I hope he can turn out to be a 3 down NT (with some occasional breaks/rotations) 'cause if I remember right Bama uses him on running downs then subs him out on 3rd downs vs the pass. He's still young & developing his stamina. Then he'll have to learn how to be a pro & manage his weight which his meal ticket to potential greatness &/or being an impact player. Great to hear from someone else who's been watching him firsthand. I watched some AL games in spurts last season. Will definitely be scouting him as much as possible this season.
Yeah Mike, we had a shot at Hgata too.
Go figure, play a 3-4 and omit the Wide Bodies?
What a concept.
Sorry for the typo, Ngata of course
I forget which draft that was NJ. Ngata's a monster.
But when you brought up Brace or Ziggy who I thought (Matt here also mentioned he thought so too...he also thought we were eyeing the CB Butler as the 2nd possibility) we were going after was Maualuga at our 2nd RD pick.
If we really wanted him IMO we should of gave up a late RD'er say starting with the 6th RD, to jump up 5 spots. One of those teams should have still got their man with our 43rd.
06 draft. we drafted Vernon Davis instead because he was such a workout warrior.
So much yak about the NE stud defense. It's all rep, apparently. They had one more sack than us last year, two more ints, and finished worse than us in points per game. Their defense has been mediocre for several years now.
No pass rush = stressed secondary and few interceptions! It's a formula that works everytime.