You didn't say it, but if so many promising QBs are available, they may not need to trade up. This would give them good options at a pass rusher, safety, or other position of need, and potentially come away with a very good player in the first round.

Will the 9ers record this year determine who will actually hold the trigger with next years draft picks? Considering the recent bashing of Scot McCloughan by a respected magazine, I would think Jed and John must be at least considering a change if things don't go well. An NFL GM being compared to Matt Millen must be the kiss of death in that profession. To top it off, McC wasn't being criticized for organizational issues. He was criticized for what is supposed to be his strength, talent evaluation. It also makes you wonder how secure Sing is if his boss is on the hot seat.

Off topic here, but can you please forward this to Singletary and team, Matt?

As if we needed any more motivation after the debacle in AZ last year ;-)

Thanks!!

Suggs is signed long-term.
Unger, really? That would have made for a stupid move. Why? Scot "I don't value interior linemen" McCloughlin would have drafted:
Wallace
Rachel
Baas
Synder (G/T)
and Unger
and has drafted
Staley and Estes as Tackles.

HMMMM

No offense, Houston, but anybody who compared McC to Millen is absolutely brain dead and the article (no link, no name of "respected magazine") cannot be anything more than crapola. McC is VERY secure here. And for a reason: he's damn good.

We'll always regret not taking a tackle instead of Kentwan Balmer. We needed one, but passed, and ended up with Sims last year and another guy off the street this year. And next year we may need to use those picks on a QB. That was a huge strategic mistake that may have set the team back a few more years.

Anyway, as far as Tebow. I've seen countless QBs drafted who "can make all the NFL throws". What I see in Tebow is a leader who knows how to win. I'll take that any day. With how the NFL is evolving (using 2 or 3 running backs, the wildcat, the spread) Tebow may actually be the new prototype for NFL quarterbacks.

Randy, I had to read Dockett's thing about five times to truly read each word he used. Like deciphering code. I hope someone on the Niners gets a hold of that. Maybe Vernon. He's on Twitter. Plus, Young Jeezy sucks.

The article was written by Bill Barnwell for Football Outsiders. The quote I'm referring to is, “the only difference between the Matt Millen-era Lions and the Scot McCloughan-era Niners is context and luck.” The link to the article has already been posted on Matt's blog at least once but I believe multiple times.

I like McCloughan in the Personnel Dept but I'm not sold on him as a GM because he simply doesn't come across as a leader of men. When you are supposed to lead dynamic, charismatic men such as Mike Singletary you better have some weight to your words. McCloughan fumbles his way through interviews too much for my taste. I just hope he's much different in the office than he is in front of a microphone.

Having said all of that, I still believe McC's fate will be tied to the play of the QB. He can build the best roster in the NFL but if the QB doesn't perform it will look like he can't scout the most important position on the field.

Well,McGloughan is safe because he is a very good GM and very young GM that has a huge upside.And he is well liked by the ownership.And he has done a great job so far.
Scott and Sing are safe this year no matter what happens imho. (unless they go 0-16 or something).

And speaking of Scotty...He didn't draft Nate "The Great" Davis for nothing ! Davis should get enough of a look to determine if the team thinks he is the QB of the future or if they need to use a pick or picks on a QB next draft. But since Davis can already make ALL the throws(unlike Tebow) and has all the intangebles you could ever want and can scramble and make things happen etc etc etc,why would we waste a high pick or picks on QB in next years draft that have no better skills or worse skills than Davis?

I'm a Nate Davis fan and I hope he develops into a great QB. BUT, If he's playing at all this year, the 9ers have either failed miserably or the QB's in front of him have taken a beating and been injured. In either case, the 9ers are in for a very long year if Davis sees the field.

Matt, are you exposing the great fallacy of drafting the proverbial "best player available," when you say the 49ers "would be wise to assess their needs this season before deciding the best way to use those selections." I have always suspected that the BPA explanation was a ruse to avoid ruffling the feathers of players currently on the roster. Additionally, I think the most effective way of building a roster" is a combination of draft AND trades/free agency...and Bill Walsh knew how to do both (Steve Young, Freddie Soloman, Hacksaw Reynolds, Wendell Tyler, etc.). Even great draft gurus like Ron Wolf required methods beyond the draft to add key components to championship teams (ie., Reggie White and Brett Farve). Even our modern day gurus in New England use a heavy dose of free agents. This draft emphasis is a rationalization to hide behind when a team isn't active in free agency.

Wow, the NFL has suspended Jimmy Williams for a year for violating substance abuse policies. I wonder if the 49ers saw that coming, prompting his early release.

I read your post saying that you were going to the opening game.

Do you live in Phoenix?

Nah I live in the Bay Area. I went to the opener when that stadium first opened though so I just try to make it my mini tradition whenever the 49ers open there.

Matt, you said the 49ers has never added anyone significant at the trade deadline. Didn't the 9ers traded for Fred Dean during the 1981 season?

Houston,

"A leader of Men?" ahhh...The sole purpose of a GM is to evaluate talent (FA, Draft) & get the best players available for the team & his HC. You think Bill Polian or Paoli are actual "Leaders of Men" as you say? Of course not those guys work behind the scenes & prefer NOT to be in the lime light, that job lies on the HC's feet to do. All that being said I believe McC is doing a pretty good job considering he had NoWin-NoClue hovering over his shoulder for the past several years of FA & the draft.

Who? The next OL taken in the 08 draft was the 9ers pick of Rachal (OG that may really be a OT). The next OT that was taken was at the end of the 2nd round, Mike Pollak by Indy. You can question the pick of Balmer, but to suggest an OT when one was not available would have been poor value.

I'll be at the Card season opener, will focus on Docket, hopefully someone takes his head off.

young Jed was in tears when he gave Nolan his walking papers. Can you imagine him telling Coach to hit the road? Me thinks he'll need a change of underwear.

Comment: Matt, are you exposing the great fallacy of drafting the proverbial "best player available," when you say the 49ers "would be wise to assess their needs this season before deciding the best way to use those selections."

My response: Not necessarily. I'm saying if the 49ers feel as if they need a QB in next year's draft, they should go get the guy they really want -- whether that's by sitting tight or trading up to a spot where they can get him. --Matt M.

Question: Matt, you said the 49ers has never added anyone significant at the trade deadline. Didn't the 9ers traded for Fred Dean during the 1981 season?

My response: You're correct. When I wrote that, I had it in my mind that the Dean deal was done around Week 3. But it was done before the 49ers' sixth game.

But that did happen 28 years ago. The NFL of today barely resembles the NFL of 1981. --Matt M.

Houston9er wrote: I like McCloughan in the Personnel Dept but I'm not sold on him as a GM because he simply doesn't come across as a leader of men.

That's the dumbest thing you've written since you said "Football Outsiders" is a "respected magazine."

GM's aren't supposed to be leaders of men, they're supposed to stock and run the team with coaches and players. Name me five other non-coaching GMs off the top of your head (without cheating) and tell me how they've demonstrated their leadership qualities.

Do you honestly think Mike Singletary needs to be led anywhere? I'm pretty sure he knows where he's going.

As far as his influence goes, McCloughan was the guy who convinced everyone else that they had to draft Patrick Willis. I'm pretty sure that bought him some cred with Singletary and the scouts.

A leader of men would be Mike Singletary and he's a great one at that ;-)

Cal,

You're a little late on your post.

I wonder what the threshold is going to be for the 49ers decision makers when it comes to acquiring another QB in the draft? Of course, there are the 2 extremes; if Hill and Smith both stink something to be damned, then you blow it up and start over (at QB). But, if one of them gets us to the playoffs, then you gotta ride it 'till the wheels fall off.

What about the middle ground though? If the team goes 8-8, 7-9, (Lord forbid) 6-10??? If they have average (or slightly above or below average) stats? What is the tipping point? I'm sure a lot will need to be considered, but what is the threshold of significance in this evaluation?

Whow Stampede,

Put the brakes on! Man... you are looking wayy too far ahead, it's not even this year's TC & you're already thinking about possible "doom-gloom 09' season"?

"doesn't come across as a leader of men. =....... dat wuz funny

....as much as i hate to say this..

.....maybe he does have a point since the GM's do have to exihibit some leadership in the direction of the organization......

Hi Matt, The past five years the Panthers have won, 7, 11,8,7, and last year 12 games. They have a solid run game so my guess would be lowest 8 highest 12. If the Niners show progress they should pick in the middle of the pack. Packaging those two picks put them in the hunt for a QB. Tebow reminds me of Steve a little.

I did ramble, my bad. But no, not at all. I'll be the last person to declare the team a disaster before they even play a single down. All I'm wondering is what at what point will the 49ers braintrust be satisfied with what they see out of their QB? Do they have to get them to the playoffs in 09? Will a .500 record be enough?

Top_Cat PLEASE! How do you know Davis can make all throws? Are you an QB coach or an OC? From Matt's article, it seems to me he gets the drift that if Smith and Hill don't work out, the 49ers are considering drafting a QB next year and making him the QB of the future.
I know you're in love with Davis but I haven't read anywhere where he's considered the future man for that position. Seems to me the 49ers would be talking about other positions for the next years draft. I think there's the possibility the guy of the future could be playing in the NCAA this year.

Well,

Just like the rest of us we'll have to just stand on the sidelines & see this whole thing (the season) unfold before our very eyes. Is it TC yet?

You are on the right track.

If management and the coaches aren't satisifed with the QB play in 2009, they will do whatever they have to do to change it.

Steve Mariucci said it best: The talent level is pretty even across the NFL. Except at the QB position.
At that position about 1/3 of the teams are way ahead of the other teams.

You said:
[quote]I'm a Nate Davis fan and I hope he develops into a great QB. BUT, If he's playing at all this year, the 9ers have either failed miserably or the QB's in front of him have taken a beating and been injured. [/quote]

Or the Niners are so far out in front at the end of the third period that Davis comes in and mops up.

In regards to the Draft:

after some research and thought seems like we blow a LOT of picks on the first day where many teams excel. Problem is its not the first rd its the whole first day here is what i see:

David Baas: first pick of the 2nd rd at guard should be starting in the 2nd year if not right away. this guy finally gets a shot n we prolly wont even pay to keep him
Adam Snyder: 3rd rd career backup (prolly cuz we move the guy EVERY GAME mor nolan hybrid crap)
Manny Lawson: 1st rd and Nolan screwed him, not even an everydown player, nuff said.
Brandon Williams: THIRD RD cuz we needed a KR? God help us, this guy was terrible at WR.
Jason Hill: got this guy in the 3rd rd and Nolan REFUSED to give him a shot, finally started to play last yr but we got him weak at the position... wasted time.
Ray McDonald: 3rd rd, already being phased out
Kentwan Balmer: hope this works out but FIRST RD??
Reggie Smith: USE THE GUY HE IS BIG AND i heard he was pretty good in college, i feel like nolan gave marcus Hudson a better shot!

and this is leaving out some busted 4th rd picks.... my problem isnt that these guys are "busts" its that some of the picks make no sense and the good picks never seemed to get used the right way!!

ShaneO. I think when you mention busts, you have to also mention the great picks made. Patrick Willis is an all pro. 10 teams passed up on him. How many teams nail all of their picks. The biggest difference in this year's draft was that the 49ers played it smart. They didn't reach for anyone. Crabtree was the best value. They didn't reach for players in free agency. This year will be the test. Goldson, Lawson, Balmer, Rachal, Willis, Gore, Bass, Staley. If all those guys start and become impact players like Willis, I'd say our drafts have been successful.

I meant Gore too. I've read that Goldson has big play type ability. Lawson needs to be unleashed. That kid I feel will be an impact player. Bottom line is that I cannot wait!!!

Thanks for the comment bro

I acctually agree with you and will be the first (or i guess the second) to say there were some good picks in there was well, i guess for the most part the point i was tryin to make is most the time its really the coaching or specifically Nolan that was responsible for the disasters. If you look at all those guys i dont think anyone reached their max potential under Nolan mostly bcuz of his philosphy about moving guys around, using "swing players" and not having an idenity which leads to guys not having a true position. or just not playing young guys too. i think the proof comes when/if (and I HOPE THEY DO) but if all those players u mentioned do well this year i think its due to Sing and his more straight forward approach.... but some of those picks are head scratchers... maybe ill just never get over Brandon Williams.... terrible!

Regardless of how we do this year it is comforting to know we have a "bailout" package with two 1st round picks. Timmy Tebow should be available if needed 12 through 20. If you are looking for a leader of men on the battlefield don't look any further. Training camp can't come soon enough along with Mr. Maioccos' insightful reporting.

Hello from SE Asia (Thailand, Laos, Philippines) where I am living now. I will be commenting on the QB situation as the year develops, but it is NOT a matter of Smith or Hill "stinking." It is a matter of absolutely NOT settling for a QB who does not have Hall of Fame "potential" (I use that last word, because though I never thought Garcia would be a Hall of Famer, a QB who is one of only 7 in NFL history (and the only 49er) to throw for 30 TDs in consecutive seasons is WAY OK with me.) Bill Walsh would not accept Steve DeBerg even though he set an NFL completions record in his first full season at QB. We want a guy like Big Ben or Tom Brady (or Manning or Rivers). Why settle for less? It is better that Smith is a bust than he becomes a run of the mill guy (even a high end run of the mill guy like Kerry Collins - I want better). What is this "makes all the throws" thing? Most NFL QBs can make all the throws. (of course, some throw better than others, like Elway) Alex has a fine arm. The test is when the pressure is heavy, 800 lbs are breathing down on you, and the game is on the line, can you maintain your poise, see the field and release the ball at the exact right time.....to end up in the receiver's hands? You know, like Big Ben, like Joe Montana, like Tom Brady. Tim Couch, Ryan leaf and Akili Smith could make all the throws. True, not actually IN an NFL game of course. I hardly ever watch college football (and now, may never see a game), so I've only seen Tebow twice - here's a question for Matt - what throws does it seem as if Tebow CAN'T make? I've seen him play - true, on TV - seems to throw the ball as well as an NFL QB. Just wondering. And has TONS of other things he brings to the table. If Smith/Hill turns out to be ordinary (better to just be a bust and move on) - then we need to go for one of the (now) Big 3 in the draft. We may not need to trade up.

All us 49er fans wish today was like 1981 and the beginnig of a dynasty. Oh glory days!

Matt, how about some help on the Supplemental Draft Process?
Think our Scot has any interest in the DE Jeremey Jarmon from Kentucky, or where we might be slotted for the Draft process?

NJ49er,

Jarmon is a 4-3 DE so no chance the 49ers pull the trigger on him.

Glad I could entertain you. Stick around, I'll make many more "dumb" statements. In this case I am right. The GM better be a leader of men. Although it's murky Sing said at the end of last year that he reports to Scot McC which makes McC the leader. Last I checked, McC runs a scouting department and many scouts report to him which makes him the leader. I realize Sing is the leader of the football team on the field. My point is that by definition the GENERAL MANAGER must be a leader. He must exhibit leadership skills that allow him to influence player selection, coach selection, operations etc... I realize there are many different organizational models in the NFL. In the 9ers case, Mike Singletary reports to Scot McCloughan. If Scot wants to say it's a partnership then I see that as a weakness on McC's part. McC supposedly has hire/fire authority (obviously with ownership's approval) over Sing. So how can anyone say, McC isnt the leader?

about the oct deadline and significant trade i think fred dean 1981 was definitely a steal and iced the 49ers run for their first super bowl.

..someone could say McGm has responsibilities of getting the leader of the team (Sing) what he needs...

just because someone reports to you does not mean you are the leader....

i am sure the players could see McGm as the Bozz and Sing has the leader...

MM - If the niners decide to keep 6 Wr's
Crabtree, Morgan, Jones, Bruce, Battle and Hill

Which other position do you feel would be most affected?

And what are your reasons why you might feel they won't keep 6 WR's?

.....I pray and hope we keep 6...

You also "bid" on a player. the worst team with the highest bid gets the player. The "winning team" then loses the same draft pick in the following year's draft. So if the 9ers bid a third rounder and the Steelers bid a third rounder, the 9ers get the player and lose a 3rd in 2010. But if the Steelers bid a first rounder and the 9ers bid a third, the Steelers get him.

All the supplemental guys have issues.

Question: Matt, how about some help on the Supplemental Draft Process? Think our Scot has any interest in the DE Jeremey Jarmon from Kentucky, or where we might be slotted for the Draft process?

My response: The supplemental draft is today and the 49ers DID NOT put in a claim to use a 2010 draft pick on anyone available. --Matt M.

Question: If the niners decide to keep 6 Wr's Crabtree, Morgan, Jones, Bruce, Battle and Hill Which other position do you feel would be most affected? And what are your reasons why you might feel they won't keep 6 WR's?

My response: I think they will keep six receivers. It's the position on the team that is the strongest from top to bottom. If the idea is to fill your 53-man roster with the best players, I think this is the position to load up.

After all, guys like Arnaz Battle and Jason Hill could play signficant roles on special teams even if they have a difficult time getting on the field as receivers. I think you get more from the bottom half of your receiver corps than you would get at other positions.

Let's say, for sake of argument, the 49ers keep six receivers. Then, they could keep 3 QBs, 5 RBs, 3 TEs, 9 OL, 6 DL, 8 LBs, 9 DBs and 4 STs. That's 53. Depending on how Nate Davis catches on, though, they might want to keep a fourth QB. Then, they could carry one fewer OL, DB or LB and just carry another player at one of those spots on the practice squad.
--Matt M.

I had Tony Collins from KU graded as a 1-2 rounder. Several others did as well. He went on to start the second half of the season at LT for Cincinnati and did a solid job. He should be a monster this year at RT.

..thks for the excellent response...

..i was starting to feel lonely...

3 QBs, 5 RBs, 6 WRs, 3 TEs, 9 OL, 6 DL, 8 LBs, 9 DBs and 4 STs......

Now i can work on my wish roster...

Ok, you gave me an answer, but I'm more confused. You and "others" had Collins as 1st round talent, yet he fell to the Bengals with the 13th pick of the 4th round. All teams passed on him 3 times, some 4 times. Maybe he makes the star ranks you predict for him. I know that NFL can fall within the pack mentality where no one wants to step out and do something unusual (except Al Davis, and don't take this as a plug for him). With the 4th round the 9ers selected Cody Wallace. If you want to say they should have picked Collins instead of Wallace I could understand, but to move him up to a 1st rounder? That I don't get.

Keep the draft choices and see where they stand at the end of season. We are still finding out what we really have. Is the O Line going to be much better or will a switch away from Martz's scheme just create an average O Line? Hopefully we will see an improvement with full training camp under Singletary.