The Bay Bridge Swap

by 16to80endzone on Jun 27, 2008 1:21 AM PDT

What the 49ers and Raiders essentially did in a non-trade was to inadvertently swap players that play the same position, at right tackle. Both incurred a lot of penalties during their career, Barry Sims formerly of the Raiders got called for false start penalties, and Kwame Harris formerly of the 49ers called for holding penalities.

It's a swap of players with identical M.O.s, both are veterans and have been playing a few years, Harris a 5 year veteran who played both left and right tackle, and Sims a 10 year veteran primarily at left tackle.

The one difference is that Harris was the 49ers fans' whipping boy because of his holding penalties and for other vulnerabilties. The 49ers in their effort to revamp the offensive line cannot afford weak spots, especially now that Mike Martz is the Niners' new offensive coordinator (whose quarterbacks in the past had been sacked often), let Harris go, no longer in their plans. The strength in the offensive line reinforces the Martz offensive scheme, in protecting the quarterback and the overall offensive game plan, so the move was absolute.

Although fans complained at times of Sims' penchant for false starts, he is the more experienced offensive lineman who has started 96 games out of 110 games in his career. That brought to the 49ers the notion that Sims can add to the depth at right tackle, as he brings more to the table.

And he is no whipping boy. He's now the master and he will challenge Jonas Jennings for the starting spot.

Sims believes the 49ers give him the best chance to get back into the playoffs, allowing for a perfect scenario where he can remain in the bay area where he and his wife, Shae lives (San Ramon) in continuing his style of football (amiss the false start penalties).

The Raiders and 49ers didn't have to trade, the NFL is not like Major League Baseball where players are commonly traded besides being signed as free agents. It was a swap, even if the teams didn't plan it that way. The 49ers were in the market for adding depth to the offensive line, and Sims came along at the right time.

Harris was long gone, his scent dissipated, before Sims surfaced as a worthy candidate to replace him, even as a worthy opponent to Jennings for the starting position. Who better to replace Harris after other top free agents were snatched by other teams?

Whistle blows. It's a false start and a 5-yard penalty! And it's Harris! With another five or ten yards compounded by yet another penalty, a holding call!

While Sim gets away with just a 5-yard false start penalty but a more solid game.

A big difference, huh? And five more years of experience, too.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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what are you trying to prove here?

we all know kwame was horrible.

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jun 27, 2008 10:31 AM PDT 0 recs

Similarities

I am just giving note to the similarities to both players but emphasing Sim’s upsides and Kwame’s horrible downsides. Are you a whipping boy? If yes, I got a story!

Unless you’re a Not-Kwame.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 27, 2008 9:48 PM PDT up 0 recs

Similarities?

you mention their similarities in penalties, yet you say that sims is better than kwame? Last time I checked a false start is still a penalty. You’re argument for sims is that he only commits false starts, while kwame commits holds and false starts. A false start is a penalty as well.

So maybe youre right, they are both similar…Similarly bad.

Oh and tell me that story, I’d love to hear it. It probably has something to do with milking cows or a bandwagon jumper who isn’t a real fan of anyone.

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jun 27, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Seriously dude where do you come up with this stuff?

The strength in the offensive line reinforces the Martz offensive scheme, in protecting the quarterback

Martz is notorious for letting his QB eat a ton of turf.

Sims believes the 49ers give him the best chance to get back into the playoffs

So Sims thinks the 49ers have a better chance at making the playoffs than the Patriots?

by methodrampage on Jun 27, 2008 2:42 PM PDT 0 recs

A Dude As Serious As Never Before

Method, I am a writer. Please look closely in context to interpret what I am actually saying- here goes, “The strength in the offensive line reinforces the Martz offensive scheme, in protecting the quarterback…”

What I am actually saying here is that the STRENGTH that the offensive line (or ANY offensive line for that matter), will support (reinforce) the Martz offensive scheme minimizing sacks. It’s not about the fact that Martz is notorious for letting the quarterback eat a ton of turf, the responsibility lies to the offensive line. If the offensive line’s strength is protecting the quarterback, especially with the Martz offense, then MORE POWER TO THE 49ER’S LATEST OFFENSE.

The Patriots are playoff bound already, with the Tom Brady and Randy Moss tandem. Sims was not concerned with that. The 49ers, already in Sim’s backyard, enthralls him with such a solid roster and playmakers, he feels the 49ers in his OWN backyard will give him the best chance. He DOESN’T have to MOVE to the east coast to get on a championship team. IT’S RIGHT IN HIS BACKYARD.

Seriously, dude!

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 27, 2008 9:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

$$$

I don’t think championship was on sims’ mind when he signed. If it was he wouldn’t have joined a 5-11 team with an unproven QB. As fooch stated when we signed sims, the money and the location were the reasons for choosing frisco. Also the playing time was a lot more achievable with a rookie and an injury prone jonas Jennings. In today’s sports, signing with a team for a championship isn’t the only factor (in fact it sometimes has no bearing at all). Unless sims was a multiple time pro bowler who just couldn’t get a ring in his career, then I would believe he signed for a chance at a ring. However, sims is an average lineman at best and would love to sign for the money while still getting a chance to start.

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jun 27, 2008 10:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

If I was the Coach...

When a player is signed, I would rather that player on my team to sign for one sole reason:

To get to the Super Bowl.

For money, that becomes questionable because will that player have teamwork and a goal in mind to reach the super bowl, or he’s just in it to slouch for a million bucks?

I love players who’d take a paycut just to be able to contribute and help the team get to the Super Bowl. That’s my kind of player. And of course, I’d nudge the owner to reward him with a multi-million dollar contract if we do…

....get to the Super Bowl.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 30, 2008 9:24 AM PDT up 0 recs

Sims signed almost soley for money

I’m almost positive the Niners offered him the most money. If he wanted to win he would have taken a lesser offer from the Patriots.

by methodrampage on Jun 30, 2008 5:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

"Method, I am a writer."

Lol. You a writer? Talk about the dumbing down of America. None of what you “write” makes any sense at all, in or out of context.

by methodrampage on Jun 28, 2008 6:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

Your Take

Method, what is your take on what I was actually trying to point out, that the strength of the offensive line would lessen the chances of the quarterback getting sacked? Do you truly think that the offensive lines of Martz’s former teams were that strong?

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 28, 2008 9:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well, Orlando Pace was no slouch, at the very least.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jun 28, 2008 9:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

Up for a Debate

I am up for a debate that become sensible to both sides. Read my comment under “One Man Team.” I think my point saying that if the offensive line protects the quarterback, it does not matter what Mike Martz is notorious for. All the chips fall on the offensive line’s shoulders and the decisions made by the quarterback.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 28, 2008 10:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yes a good offensive line will help against sacks

I’ll give you that but you need to recognize the fact that protecting the QB is not one of Martz’ top priorities, at least it hasn’t been in the past. Most of your comments are completely generalized and not specific to certain players, coaching philosophies, situations, etc. You’re comment about Sims picking the Niners over the Patriots still makes no sense. The Niners are not a championship caliber team right now. Hell, they’ll be lucky to be in the playoff hunt.

by methodrampage on Jun 29, 2008 5:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

Lucky?

The 49ers to you are that bad? The hapless 49ers? Me bad, but I think the 49ers can rival the Patriots soon one day.

After all, Tom Brady and Randy Moss aren’t God.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 30, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

You think the Niners really have a good chance at making the playoffs?

I don’t. I think the team is at a major pivot point. Should Nolan go or should he stay? Same can be said for Alex Smith. There are too many questions surrounding the 49ers this year for me to consider them a playoff team. Best case scenario they’re one year off and if Smith sucks like I think he might they’re probably atleast 4 years out. After all, Mike Nolan isn’t God.

by methodrampage on Jun 30, 2008 5:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

One Man Team

If Orlando Pace was no slouch, that may be true, he knocked every college player that went up against him down flat square on the ground. However in the NFL, we play with eleven players, not one.

People seem to think I talk mumbo jumbo about NFL football, but it’s not true. Maybe I need to rephrase some things. Say it in a different way, I suppose. I am confident in my point that if the offensive line became more solid, it will make Martz’s offense “The Show” once again and minimize sacks to the least.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 28, 2008 10:16 PM PDT 0 recs

I was trying to acknowledge the fact that Orlando Pace does not an offensive line make when I said “at the very least,” but there’s really no indication of that in the text itself.

However. At the Rams very best and at their very worst Under Martz (2001 and 2002), their offensive line from left to right looked like this: Orlando Pace, Tom Nutton, Andy McCollum, Andy Timmerman, Ryan Tucker(2001)/John St. Clair(2002).

In 2001, Warner was sacked 38 times. In 2002, he was sacked 21 times (in less than half the games). I don’t have the numbers for times hit or hurried, though. I’m not completely sure what all those names and numbers mean, but there they are.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jun 28, 2008 10:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

Coaching and Personnel

Let’s hope the coaching and personnel makes a difference on the 49er’s side. It’s not the Rams anymore. The less sacks the Niners give up, the better chance the current quarterbacks on the Niners’ roster have in executing the Martz offense. The bottom line is that the offensive line is responsible for protecting the quarterback and one way to do it is to understand what the Martz offense is designed to do. The initial reads the offensive line will make on the reactions of the opposing defenses will be a factor in protecting the quarterback.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 28, 2008 10:34 PM PDT 0 recs

I like the way you think!

To me you make sense 16to80….you back up your arguments with some solid information, spun in a positive manner. Whereas, method seems to have some points, but can’t seem to fathom a Niner turnaround. You would think he’s a Raider fan or something. Method, we understand the hardships the Niners are going through, we’re just tryin’ to keep our heads up.

by #1TE.BadCaseofV.D. on Jul 1, 2008 9:56 PM PDT 0 recs

you got the wrong guy as a raider fan

I think that’s your boy 16to80

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Jul 1, 2008 11:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

Thanks #1 TE

You make sense yourself too and in a solid way. Just too many covert Raider fans around us infiltrating the NinersNation abode.

Let’s continue believing in the 49ers. Our heads are up, chin upright.

Guess who will be laughing at the end?

Martz and corps. Or was it Nolan’s team? Just kidding.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 2, 2008 12:36 AM PDT up 0 recs

Guess who will be laughing at the end?

Probably the Joker. But that’s just a guess.

(Sorry for being completely out of context, but I’m still coming down from the most recent unbelievably awesome Dark Knight trailer)

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 2, 2008 12:56 AM PDT up 0 recs

If I was a Seal, I would be..

barking loudly in laughter…

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 2, 2008 1:16 AM PDT up 0 recs

Hey howtheyscored-

Are you a Dave Righetti fan? The Dave Righetti who threw a no-hitter for the Yanks and now the Giant’s pitching coach?

If that’s who you are referring to, let you know his daughter is deaf. She goes to the same school I grew up in, and I know her and her mom, who always attends our school’s alumni functions. I don’t see Dave Righetti himself very much because he is always travelling and on the road as the Giant’s pitching coach.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 2, 2008 1:21 AM PDT up 0 recs

Yes, I am a Dave Righetti fan, and yes, that same Dave Righetti. I just plain like the guy.

That’s cool that you’ve got the degrees of separation thing going. My cousin used to live down the street (more or less) from J. T. Snow. I never took advantage of that, but I sure wish I had.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 2, 2008 2:46 AM PDT up 0 recs

Gellin' With Celebrities and Degrees of Separation

When I met Mrs. Righetti and Dave Righetti’s kids, they were just like anybody. When their dad is around, the climate becomes different, because the celebrity is there in person, the atmosphere becomes charged up.

But when it’s just his wife at the functions, she is willing to answer any questions about life as a Righetti, she has the aura as a wife of a sports celebrity.

The Righetti deaf daughter teaches dance classes at the alumni school and the mom passes around business cards for dance lessons. The Righetti family are the darlings of the Alumni school where I was among the first group of students when that prestigious school was founded in the mid 60’s. Dave Righetti is a regular donor to that school, one of his charities.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 2, 2008 10:45 AM PDT up 0 recs

I can fathom a turnaround

Just not a huge one this year. The Niners were worse than their record reflected last year. A legitimate 8 or 9 win team in ‘08 would be a vast improvement over the ‘07. Just like how Rome wasn’t built in a day and how Davis isn’t going to learn to milk Martz’ cow in an hour, the Niners aren’t going to make the playoffs this year. If Smith actually proves to be an adequate NFL QB then maybe next year the NFC West title would be a realistic goal.

by methodrampage on Jul 2, 2008 9:35 AM PDT up 0 recs

2 Year Plan

I have said all along that Martz is in it for 2 years to successfully integrate his offense into the 49ers scheme. Either they have a faster breakthrough this year and reach the playoffs, or play better than .500 ball and continue that trend in 2009 and reach the playoffs that year.

I won’t be disappointed in 2008, but I will be disappointed in 2009, if the 49ers don’t make it by then.

It’s that I want the 49ers to raise the bar this year.

And Davis has to know how to squeeze the teats like an old pro.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 2, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up 0 recs

Last year

the bar was raised pretty damn high. how’d that work out. thats why i think the majority of people here are trying to be a bit more realistic in their expectations. For myself, it’s not hating, it’s trying not to get my heart broken again.

by good as gold on Jul 2, 2008 2:57 PM PDT up 0 recs

Definition of Raising the Bar

Good as Gold (I hope you are),

I would like to elaborate a little about raising the bar. The team made some not-so-subtle changes, getting a new offensive coordinator, not an anonymous one, but one who has run a high-powered offense in the past called “The Show,” the draft brought some quality players who can start right away, along with last years draftee Patric Willis who is going to own the field, Martz beckoned Isaac Bruce to come along for the ride (as the car kicks into 5th gear), the offensive line is being revamped, the defense is gellin’ by being able to both stop the run and close the gaps in the secondary.

And who knows, in the restaurant bars, they might concoct a new drink named after Vernon Davis.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 3, 2008 9:03 AM PDT up 0 recs

Covert Raider Fans

To me a covert Raider fan means it is someone who wears 49ers jerseys, shirts, wears 49ers caps, but actually wears the Black and Silver Raiders underwear.

So whoever that person is, I don’t need to know if that person is wearing underwear with the Raider’s logo.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 2, 2008 12:28 AM PDT 0 recs

By the Way, I am a Niner Fan Inside And Out

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 2, 2008 12:29 AM PDT 0 recs

Heart Broken

I hate when people become “realistic” just to avoid a let down. Awww….is your poor little heart gonna get broken if we don’t live up to your expectations. Man-up….and think positive! Do you really believe we didn’t do as well as we could have because we expected more? No, it is what it is….there are tons of reasons why the Niners weren’t as successful as we thought they’d be last year. All we can do is believe. I’m a Niner fan through and through.

by #1TE.BadCaseofV.D. on Jul 3, 2008 8:28 PM PDT 0 recs

Just believe!

I love it when people think that the Niners are going to win because they believe and wish apon a star

Just like how I didn’t get up this morning and think I was going to win the lottery or get laid by a super model today I don’t expect the Niners to win more than 9 games next season. It has nothing to do with broken hearts or any other dumb reasons. It’s because I live in the real world and not a fantasy land with pixie dust and pink unicorns.

So just keep believing in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and a 13 win 2008 49er team because if you believe hard enough it’s obviously going to happen.

by methodrampage on Jul 3, 2008 8:55 PM PDT up 0 recs

When I got up this morning, I thought you were going to get laid by a supermodel.

Total letdown when you didn’t. I was crushed. And I spent a whole day totally wasting the batteries in all my spygear. Complete waste.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 3, 2008 11:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yeah, that fat chick was nothing to brag about.

by methodrampage on Jul 4, 2008 8:47 AM PDT up 0 recs

And I spent all morning biting my fingernails wishing I was in your shoes...

For nothing.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 3, 2008 11:23 PM PDT 0 recs

Haha!!

That’s actually pretty funny methodrampage….i like the part about the pixie dust and pink unicorns. I can’t say I’ve ever wished upon a star for the Niners to have a winning season. All I’m sayin is high expectations aren’t gonna get me down when they aren’t met. I actually think your 9 win season is a viable and respectable prediction. I just like to put myself out there and think big.

by #1TE.BadCaseofV.D. on Jul 3, 2008 11:30 PM PDT 0 recs

Fair enough

Everybody believes and thinks about things differently and keeping hopes high is fine and all, I just don’t think it’s fair to assume that the people who think the Niners will only win 8 or 9 games only do so because they’re afraid of getting their hearts broken if they hope for more.

by methodrampage on Jul 4, 2008 8:47 AM PDT up 0 recs

Pixie Dust A-Falling, Stars So Bright...

Your quote about the pixie dust and pink unicorns would have made fans out of the Beatles, who were high on LSD all the time. The Beatles would have thought the red and gold 49ers were PINK.

Seriously.

And the Beatles mascot for the 49ers would have been the PINK Bunny Rabbit.

And if you saw the Beatles strolling around carrying carrots, then you get the drift…

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 4, 2008 12:25 AM PDT 0 recs