Mike Singletary Approval Ratings, Week 13

by Fooch on Dec 3, 2008 9:00 AM PST in Approval Ratings Comment 41 comments

I forgot to run the Approval Rating last week so all we have as a baseline for this week is the 97% rating from 2 weeks ago. It would have been interesting to see what Singletary's rating would have been after a loss. Such is life.

So, we move to Singletary instead coming off a big road win at Buffalo. The team seems to be rallying around the coach and really wants to step up their play for him. Things were ugly at times last Sunday, but a common refrain in the comments was that this was a game Mike Nolan would have definitely lost. I would have to agree. There were enough moments where poor game management would have screwed the 49ers and game management was not a strength of Nolan.

Although it might not be wildly important (or maybe it is), a big difference has been the simple fact that the team actually has managed to hang onto their timeouts for much of the game. In the second quarter, the 49ers forced a Bills turnover that led to 3 points. While they couldn't move in for a touchdown, they did have two timeouts to burn in case the situation required them. One blunder that did occur in that sequence of events was using timeout #2 with 16 seconds left, instead of letting the clock tick down to 3 or 4 seconds. A subsequent squib kick put the Bills in great field position, but fortunately they couldn't capitalize.

The important thing is that Singletary seems to learn from his mistakes. As seen in the Golden Nuggets, Mike Singletary hired an ex-NFL referee to be in the replay booth. Although the Cardinals debacle occurred after that, it's still a smart hire by Singletary. It's little things like this that make me feel better about him as head coach.

The win over Buffalo certainly helps in Mike Singletary's bid for the full-time head coaching job. This coming weekend against the Jets will be an even bigger test. Even though the 49ers won on the road against Buffalo, the Bills have been struggling for the last month. I think it's a good win, but I can certainly see why people might take it with a grain of salt. The Jets are coming off a tough loss to Denver, but one could argue it was more of a let-down game following their upset of the Titans. Barring something ugly, a win over the Jets might very well be enough to secure the 2009 head coaching position.

So, the question then is how you feel about Mike Singletary at this moment. Vote, and if you're so inclined, throw out reasons for or againat approval of Mike Singletary.

Poll

Do you approve of the job Mike Singletary is doing as head coach?

Yes

202 votes

No

7 votes

209 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 41 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I definitely want to give this man a chance to be our head coach next year.

by Rishi on Dec 3, 2008 9:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

agree

It does seem like he learns from his mistakes and does his best to correct them. I feel like we have definitely seen fewer and fewer Nolanesque mistakes week after week. He seems to have done alot for this team in his short time already, I think we should give him a chance and see what he can do after a full off-season.

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Dec 3, 2008 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I like him

I think he’s done very well so far.

I think the question that needs to be asked, though, is just how good do people think he can be? Could he be in the same class as Jimmy Johnson (Cowboys days) or Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, or some of the other top level coaches? Can he be a guy who occasionally leads the Niners to the playoffs? Or does he end up being a guy whose teams are just good enough to make a run at the playoffs but usually they don’t make it? Or will he be a guy who’s only as good as the O and D coords he hires?

Unfortunately, I’m not convinced his ceiling is much higher than occasionally make the playoffs, and I’m suspicious it’s going to end up being makes a run at the playoffs but doesn’t get in. This isn’t based on any analysis, just suspicion/pessimism. I’m curious what the rest of Niner Nation thinks. And if you don’t think he ceiling is that high, but you approve of his work thus far anyway, would you still give him a chance for next year?

Thoughts?

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 3, 2008 10:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

"Unfortunately, I’m not convinced his ceiling is much higher than occasionally make the playoffs"

Based on what? It seems it would be pretty hard to project his ceiling. I think a HC ceiling is highly dependant on several factors (his coordinators, GM, front office, etc.). From what I can tell Singletary is getting his players to play hard and is learning from his mistakes and that’s pretty much all you can ask of him for the rest of the year.

It’s also important to note that your Jimmy Johnsons, Bill Parcells, and Bill Bellichicks didn’t get to where they were/are at overnight. Who knows what the future holds for Singletary. A perfect storm could put him in the Super Bowl in two years or could have him drafting #1 in two.

I suppose the main point that needs to be addressed is do you approve enough, based on what you’ve seen so far, extend Singletary 4 more years? I’d imagine he’d that kind of offer from somewhere so if the Niners want to keep him they’d have to at least match that kind of offer.

by methodrampage on Dec 3, 2008 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Based on what?

With all due respect, that’s kind of a stupid question. It’s based on the following line from my previous post:

This isn’t based on any analysis, just suspicion/pessimism.

My reason for asking is to find out what the other people here think, not to say, “This is the be all, end all position. You either agree with me or you’re fired!” The reason for my post is to see what more knowledgeable people than myself might think. So I take it you believe that Sing has what it takes to be one of the better coaches in the NFL?

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 3, 2008 11:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

okay, in fairness, I can give some of why I’m not convinced Sing is going to be the next great coach…

He’s not an OC or a DC, he’s more of an overseer. My concern about that is if he doesn’t do either job, he’ll really need to make sure he hires guys who can do those jobs well. He can lay a foundation for the type of offense or defense he wants out there, but all play calling duties on both sides will completely fall to the coordinators. So if he hires a dud DC, I don’t think Sing can take over play calling duties. Now is that a big deal? Maybe not, I don’t really know. But I do know that some of the better HCs, such as Walsh and Bellichick, have been known to be great strategists who can move their players like chess pieces. Is Singletary going to be a great strategist? Don’t know. I’m sure the best HCs also have surrounded themselves with some of the better minds in football.

I’m sure you’re going to jump all over me now in an irritable rampage, but thiss is just what I’m thinking. I’d be more than happy to read why you think this would or wouldn’t really have an impact on Sing’s work as a head coach.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 3, 2008 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A HC should just be an overseer.

If you’re HC has to take over play calling abilities then the team is already in a crappy situation and how many HC have turned their teams around after taking over play calling abilities? Personally, I’d prefer it if my HC didn’t make any play calls.

So what I gather from what you’ve written is that you’re objection against Singletary is that you believe he is incapable of hiring competent coordinators. Now that’s a decent enough reason, although it’s one that I don’t share in the slightest.

by methodrampage on Dec 3, 2008 12:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My objection?

This is a concern, not an objection. I’m not stating a reason for not wanting Singletary as our full time head coach, I’m stating why my concern is. There is a very big difference.

Your first paragraph was a great response, however, and an excellent point.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 3, 2008 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With all due respect

It’s kind of stupid to present a stance without any support.

by methodrampage on Dec 3, 2008 12:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With all due respect

It’s really stupid of you to assume that when someone refers to something as a suspicion, that they are saying it’s a stance. See, a suspicion would imply that it’s more of a feeling, based lightly on certain circumstances. Whereas if I actually said, “I believe Mike Singletary will be a worse coach than Mike Nolan,” then perhaps you might infer that I meant that as a position that is immovable. BUT, since I DID happen to say that it’s a suspicion, based on zero analysis, then perhaps that means I’m not taking a stance on the issue, but stating what I believe could POSSIBLY be the case, BUT I obviously don’t know for sure and my mind could very easily be changed.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 3, 2008 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and for the record

Before there’s any confusion, I don’t believe Singletary will be a worse head coach than Mike Nolan. That was an example on a stance someone might take.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 3, 2008 12:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With all due respect

You’re stupid.

I just felt like saying that.

by Rishi on Dec 3, 2008 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

IAWTC

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 3, 2008 1:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With all due respect

Shipoopi

I just felt like saying that.

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Dec 4, 2008 6:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whatever

When you say that you’re not convinced that Singletary’s ceiling isn’t much higher than a coach who makes the playoffs on occasion you’re indeed taking a stance. Whether that stance is based on, whether it be a suspicion (and a even suspicion has to be based on something as well) or cold hard facts is really rather irrelevant as it’s still just your opinion, which your entitled to waver on, that you believe in and therefore are standing behind. But to just say, “Singletary won’t be much of a HC because I don’t know why” isn’t really adding anything and is rather quite lame.

BTW are we really going to be disappointed if Singletary turns out to only be a HC that gets into the playoffs once every couple of years? I mean, when’s the last time the Niners were in the playoffs and your elite HC aren’t exactly a dime a dozen.

by methodrampage on Dec 3, 2008 1:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Approved!

I approve. I think Singletary has the “it” factor required to bring stability to the team, and compete in the coming seasons. He has done everything I want out of a coach.(including blowing up with dissapproval @ VD, dropping his pants, all of it) The reason I approve is because I think he is learning on the go. If he was going nuts every week, then I might change my mind. But he came in, sent a strong message immediately, and the team has been competitive ever since. Maybe not great, but competitive. Give him his own staff, input on players, a couple of seasons and the sky is the limit! Singletary ’09!!

by JustA Fan on Dec 3, 2008 10:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like Singletary but...

He is a great head coach and if we were like the Pittsburg Steelers of two years ago where there was an established team when Bill Cowher left and Mike Tomlin took over, then I think Singletary would excel. He is a great motivator, has made some great personnel changes, and he has toughen up practices. But as it is, we are in another “rebuilding” mode. We need someone who can pull gems out of the draft and not necessarily sign many free agents but find the ones who can blossom in our system. I am not saying that he wouldn’t be capable of doing that, but I would rather have a coach who has a proven track record.

Also I would love to have a Coach who would bring in his own coaches, where their might be a higher chance of an offensive coordinator staying for more than a year. Martz has been solid since Hill has been his quarterback, but you know the first time the 49ers perform very well (like a 10-6 record with the 49ers in the top 10 in multiple offensive categories) he’ll be trying to split for a head coaching job. It would be nice if we had an offensive minded head coach so even if the offensive coordinator left, the head coach could still instill some of the X’s and O’s so the QB won’t have to start from scratch again.

Lastly I personally don’t want to take another chance on a first time head coach. I would love to have someone who has had some experience and success. I would personally like a Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren, or a Marty Schottenheimer. In some ways I would also like to see Pete Carrol come back to the 49ers, he would know more about the draftees coming out and he is and offensive guy. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t he like our offensive coordinator in the Mid 90’s and was is a Walsh disciple?

by StrictlyFootball on Dec 3, 2008 11:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

IIRC, wasn’t Pete Carrol the Niners’ defensive coordinator?

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 3, 2008 11:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

I’m pretty sure he was a defensive-minded guy, if not a coordinator.

by sfgfan on Dec 3, 2008 11:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok Whoops...

I knew it was something, my bad but I still wouldn’t mind seeing the guy as the 49ers head coach.

by StrictlyFootball on Dec 3, 2008 12:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pete Carroll also had an NFL head coaching job and tanked. Carroll like Urban Meyer, Dennis Erickson and others is a great college coach, but college is a different game all together. So in my opinion, no on Pete Carroll.

I can haz homerunz!

by jbowl on Dec 3, 2008 12:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He still went to the playoffs twice...

he went to the playoffs twice in three years and he had a winning record in the NFL. Also the reason why was released was in part because he went 8-8 (God I would love if the 49ers went 8-8), but also because he didn’t agree with management and the way the draft picks were handled (Same reason why Bill Parcels left). i mean Patriots owner Robert Kraft said firing Carroll was one of the toughest decisions he has had to make since buying the team, stating “A lot of things were going on that made it difficult for him to stay, some of which were out of his control. And it began with following a legend.” I think he deserves a second shot and I would like to see how he picks in the draft considering he has seen many of the players personally since he’s been head coach at USC.

by StrictlyFootball on Dec 3, 2008 12:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Playoffs

It could be argued by some that Carroll’s trip to the playoffs were with teams that Parcells helped build. That could be as true as it is false, though.

That difference between Carroll and Erickson/Meyer is that he’s a defensive minded coach. I’m probably just speaking out of my ass here, but I feel like there’s no reason a defensive-minded coach should have much discrepancy between the NFL or college.

I’m not endorsing Carroll, but I’m not as ready as some (like jbowl) to discount him either. People would also have to remember that Bill Belichick (among others) didn’t succeed until he second “fair shake.” I’m not saying he’s a sure-fire success story waiting to happen, but I certainly won’t grumble if he’s hired. I won’t really be jumping for joy, either.

by sfgfan on Dec 3, 2008 12:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

While I do agree their is a big thing we are looking over...

Do we really think Scott McCloughan would step down and let a guy like Bill Cowher or Pete Carroll make personnel decisions. I heard his interview on KNBR about how he controls pretty much who gets hired and fired as the next Head Coach, and has the right to over-rule the coach when it comes to player personnel. I hope that if Bill Cowher is interested in coming here that the Yorks would kick McCloughan out onto the street and let Cowher have control. I don’t know what will happen, but if we do want one of those big name coaches i mentioned in my original post, McCloughan would have to relinquish some of his power.

by StrictlyFootball on Dec 3, 2008 12:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt.

I think ANY experienced coach coming into the situation that is the 49ers will ask for some personnel say. McCloughan has no issues with “working with” people. I think he’ll still stay GM, but that doesn’t mean he won’t take heavy input from the next head coach (if said head coach turns out to be an experienced guy like Cowher or Carroll).

Again, I’m not arguing Carroll is a true possibility, I’m just saying that I wouldn’t rule it out. In my honest opinion, though, it’ll take a lot more than “assisting the GM” to pull Carroll away from his shiny position at USC.

by sfgfan on Dec 3, 2008 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont think it can be false, Carroll went to the playoffs riding what Parcells built. After what Parcells had done was gone it was to business for Carroll, not being a very NFL HC.

I can haz homerunz!

by jbowl on Dec 3, 2008 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Parcells vs. Carroll

Parcells didn’t necessarily build a consistent winner, though. His teams were AS up and down as Carroll’s were during his tenure with the team. On top of that, Carroll and Parcells won in two different fashions. During Parcell’s time there, the Patriots offense was above average in the league while the defense failed to be average (both in total yardage). During Carroll’s time there, the Patriots offense was the unit that failed to be average while the defense was above average (again, in total yardage). I know total yardage is a poor measure, but for a general sake, it could work.

Bottom line, it’s possible that Carroll thrived on what Parcells put together, there’s no denying that. But it’s also possible that Carroll infused his own values into the team, somewhat evident by the differences in the way the team won.

by sfgfan on Dec 3, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also there was a guy messing with each of the coaches...

There was a GM who had an equal say when it came to personnel decisions which is why Parcells left and Carroll has sited why he didn’t like being a head coach at New England. The funny thing is that once Bellichick arrived there, he was given a longer leach, I’m not sure why, but obviously it worked out.

by StrictlyFootball on Dec 3, 2008 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't find his name, that's why I refer to him as "guy"

by StrictlyFootball on Dec 3, 2008 3:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"We need someone who can pull gems out of the draft and not necessarily sign many free agents but find the ones who can blossom in our system."

Is even Singletary’s job? I though that was on the GM. Plus if the Niners are truely rebuilding they should be bringing in consultants to help with the draft rather than depending on the a new head coach.

I would personally like a Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren, or a Marty Schottenheimer.

Ok, so who wouldn’t. It’s highly likely that none of these guys are available. So now what do you do?

by methodrampage on Dec 3, 2008 11:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It’s definitely not Singletary’s job, and I don’t know how much say he would have during the draft given his absolute lack of coordinator experience.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Dec 3, 2008 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

great call...

Great call on all three of those guys. I don’t think there is any way that Cowher comes to the Niners, but if they can get Holmgren to run teh whole show that would be great. Also, Marty would be perfect!! His time in San Diego showed that he can run a winning team around a great back and a speedy tight end. Either way, whoever drafted Balmer needs to go.

At USC we're not snobs, we're just better than you.

by TrojanCBB on Dec 3, 2008 11:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Like I just posted in my comments...

Which I just realized is an hour after your post, McCloughan needs to either give up some of his power or be kicked out on the street by the Yorks. The thing that bugs me about McCloughan the most is that Nolan wanted to pick up Deshaun Jackson and McCloughan over ruled him. Plus how do you pass on Phillip Merling or Quentin Groves and pick Balmer over them. This is just another reason I wouldn’t like Singletary as head coach next year, he would be the face of the franchise but wouldn’t have the power to really get what he wants done. Also I don’t know how much longer Singletary and Martz can keep up this partnership. We’ll just have to wait and see but I really hope things shape up.

by StrictlyFootball on Dec 3, 2008 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Groves and Merling?

What exactly have those two done thats so impressive? If the Niners move back to the 4-3 then Balmer still has a shot at being a productive player for the Niners.

by methodrampage on Dec 3, 2008 1:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nolan wanted DeShaun Jackson? That’s news to me.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Dec 3, 2008 2:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I've never heard that either

GROUGTHINK ALERT

by groug on Dec 3, 2008 3:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There was an interview...

back in May on KNBR with Noaln, that stated that between Chilo Rachal there was a WR that they were interested in that had worked out with the 49ers and who went in the second round. I posted this in the comments section earlier this year. Of course while Balmer hasn’t panned out as of yet, many defensive players taken around the same place has Balmer has started in games. Also as metho pointed out if they move to a 4-3 then he’ll still have a shot, but why draft a guy who wouldn’t fit into your system, it made no sense to me.

by StrictlyFootball on Dec 3, 2008 3:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs