Can McCloughan now get some love?
During the offseason, I was amazed to read the intensely negative comments about McCloughan. There certainly have been draft failures, but the draft is a crapshoot. Apparently, less than 50% of 1st rounders ever become starters for their team (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/74206-what-are-an-nfl-first-round-picks-odds-for-success).
McCloughan/Nolan inherited an extremely weak team and continously upgraded the roster over the last years. I think that the drafts will eventually be considered at least moderately successful and the top-end free agent pick-ups have plugged some big holes and were worth the high price (Clements, J. Smith). Except for the O-line, the team depth is now impressive.
McCloughan is now looking good by getting Carolina's 1st rounder next year. The few remaining holes on the team can easily be plugged in next year's supposedly talent-rich draft. I loved the trade when it happened. It showed commitment to their mission and great patience. They didn't like any of the players still on the board for a second rounder and were able to plan for the future. Even if Carolina turns their season around and ends up 9-7, I still think the trade was smart.
While the Crabtree holdout was certainly unfortunate, is McCloughan to blame? Can a GM really predict a college star's behavior, who has a ruthless agent? Knowing the agent is Parker, do you avoid Crabtree at number 10 with the team needing a WR playmaker?
Has McCloughan amassed talent in a responsible, consistent manner, or is Singletary making magic out of nothing? Maybe this is evidence that it takes the entire organization to create a winner?
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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I would say the whole FO
But it starts with McCloughan. He has taken his deserved hits about Alex Smith. But he has also had some strong picks that he receives no pat on the backs for as well as some still under development. All that aside, he, Jed and Sing all deserve tremendous credit for how they handled the Crabtree holdout. No matter what they were all thinking or saying privately, their public persona was on point and there were no leaks or undercutting of one another. They each had a different role to play in this saga and each did it quite well. In the end, they won. That means patience and logic also won out. No other player or agent is likely to try and run them over again anytime soon.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Free Agency
He botched the opportunity. He’s done a lot to correct the situation since but he didn’t do his job in March to upgrade the the roster for this season. Give him kudos for the draft, playing the waiver wire and continuing to pay attention to the salary cap however he did miss on major component of his job.
If Jed hadn’t hired Singletary this team could easily be 1-3 with Scott headed out the door.
Did McCloughan have a say in Singletary's hiring?
If so, how much? I’d assume that he was at least part of the decision and deserves some credit. And…it does ‘start at the top’. We could also say that the team has turned around since Jed has taken over much of the day to day responsibilities.
Agreed that McCloughan could be gone without the hiring of Singletary, and it might have been unfair.
What took you so long, McCloughan?
The differences between what the 49ers offered and what Crabtree eventually signed for are trivial ($1million over 5/6 years= $250,000/$170,000).
Crabtree could have been the deciding factor in this year’s playoff run. Now, he’ll play catch-up for the rest of the year and maybe contribute a little by the end of the season.
I hope this charade was worth the money you think you’ve saved the franchise.
I sincerely doubt it.
Redirect your question to the right party!
Perhaps you should say: "What took you so long, Parker and Crabtree?" They were NOT willing to accept any reasonable 10th slot offer two mouths ago, and apparently weren’t even interested in reasonable negotiation until very recently.
I agree
I think it was time that changed Crabby Patty’s decision. I think he got tired of waiting and finally got the balls to tell Parker that he no longer wanted to play the hold out game.
Wow, we’re really going SpongeBob on Crabtree? I guess that makes Willis Patrick.
Context, people. More context is good. Less context is bad. If you're willing to be reductive, then you're willing to be wrong.
by howtheyscored on Oct 8, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Some people see the glass as half-empty
But you ought to remember that Parker wasn’t willing to meet with the Niners to negotiate until this week. Kind of makes it hard to blame McCloughan, doesn’t it?
It's all Crabtree's fault
I’m sure the 49ers don’t share any responsibility for the holdout.
Yeah, right…
Pretty much, yeah
The 49ers offered a fair deal.
Crabtree’s camp rejected and went into exile for 72 days.
They suddenly appear and take an offer similar to the one that was originally offered.
What did the 49ers do wrong?
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 9, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah the reality kool-aid.
tastes pretty goodd.
"Pat is still just scratching the surface." - Coach Singletary on LB Patrick Willis
Don't insult people
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 10, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think I've insulted you...ever
If I have, then I’m sorry….I didn’t mean it.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 10, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
lol I don't get insulted by comments on the internet
"Pat is still just scratching the surface." - Coach Singletary on LB Patrick Willis
well kool-aid is spelled with a K
so my comment was more original then yours

"Pat is still just scratching the surface." - Coach Singletary on LB Patrick Willis
i'm here all week
twice on Sunday’s
"Pat is still just scratching the surface." - Coach Singletary on LB Patrick Willis
Kool aid?
Tastes like plain water to me
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 10, 2009 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions
You really are a giant Texas Tech "homer"
The 49ers said repeatedly that they would be willing to give Crabtree a deal that was $1 less than what Raji, the 9th pick, got paid (5 years 28 million, 17.7 million guaranteed). And that’s exactly what he got. If Crabtree is able to void the last year he will have signed for 5 years 28 million with 17 million guaranteed. If he can’t void the last year, and I don’t think he will, he’ll have to play the 6th year for 4 million. Which is why the total contract is for 6 years 32 million. It was Crabtree and Parker who wanted more, somewhere around 5 years for 40 million.
Don't trust this guy. He lies.
Not true
The 49ers said repeatedly that they would be willing to give Crabtree a deal that was $1 less than what Raji, the 9th pick, got paid (5 years 28 million, 17.7 million guaranteed).
No link urnext, no link…
The 49ers never said anything like that. It’s an unsubstantiated rumor.
rumor or not
Crabtree will make more money than Raji over the first 5 years…..
Raji will be eligible for FA while Crabtree will still have to play for another year for $4 million.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 9, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
OMG
You NEVER check the fanshots section?
I’m sure everyone on this site has read this article….
Here you go:
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Crabtree-Inside-the-details.html
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 9, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't believe it
You actually provided a link in one of your posts!!!!
Good going, Man!!!!!!
Keep it up!
I shouldn't have to
As a Crabtree fan you should have already read this article.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 10, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Mc Boo Foo can get all the love he wants, provided he makes financial arrangements with Paraag Marathe first.
Context, people. More context is good. Less context is bad. If you're willing to be reductive, then you're willing to be wrong.
The problem with giving McC so much love
is that he’s spent an inordinate number of draft picks on O-Lineman only to have that be the part of the team that’s weakest. Maybe that’s more of a negative comment on Chris Foerster, but it’s crazy that we’re still on pace to have well over 40 sacks in a run-first system.
Morgan breaks through in 2009!
by grantmp on Oct 8, 2009 9:53 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Bingo
I feel like Smith has drafted reasonably well, since drafting a QB is extremely difficult, so he gets a pass on the Alex Smith pick. (I can honestly say I wanted Rodgers at the time, but how much of that was me being a Cal fan?)
But Bass and Snyder are draft picks who aren’t pulling their weight, and that’s a problem.
I was hesitant to bring that up because I don’t know where the line is drawn between McC and Nolan. You are correct, the team has spent a number of picks on the offensive line and so far the results are substandard. Not as though the guys sitting on the bench on game day look promising.
staley is pretty good
and he is the cornerstone to our o line so on that he was correct and lets not forget what he did to get staley(traded a pick) at the time sure it looked stupid and the 49ers did horrible the following year but in his defense they were drinking a lot of the kool aid of ppl assuming they would be good the next year.
"Of all the things in the world losing isn't so bad; it just starts to feel like it does when you do it for so long"
They're not talking about Staley
They’re mad because the team drafts guards in the 2nd round only to see them FAIL.
If you’re going to draft an interior lineman that high he better be the best interior lineman in the draft.
(With the exception of Centers, those guys can be taken in the 1st and 2nd)
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 9, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions
i also think
that Nolan was putting the right pieces together there. If you look at the team Coach Sing inherited he hasn’t made many changes with the players. Nolan messed himself up when he decided to go with J.T. for so long when it clearly was costing him his job. He also couldn’t make up his mind to whether run a 3-4 or 4-3 which can be overwhelming when players are expected to know different coverages in each scheme. Coach Sing took what was in place and used it correctly. Lawson,Parys, J. Smith and not to mention P.Willis are all people Nolan wanted as well. Nolan had too much power the first few years with personnel which hurt him as well. I believe if he hires anyone else to be the O.cord that year he wins a few more games and maybe keeps his job.
I think Scot has done a pretty good job considering what circumstances…i mean it could be as bad as the raiders and draft players who are a lot of hype and little skills.
"Of all the things in the world losing isn't so bad; it just starts to feel like it does when you do it for so long"
Not until he brings in a top NT & replenishes the OL.
Priorities for the next draft?
1. A 2-gap NT
2. An OG to replace Baas
3. CB to replace W. Harris
4. A good LT backup
5. A KR to replace A. Rossum
6. A RT who can pass pro.
McCloughan has failed to draft a needed RT for four years straight, going back to K. Harris. He has also failed to draft a good 2-gap NT developmental prospect to replace A. Franklin, who turns 30 this year and hasn’t been approached to renew his contract. He has also allowed the talent level on the OL to fall to the point where it is now marginal. When he cleans up these glaring deficiencies, I’ll give him his props.
Significant upgrades were needed everywhere
So I find it unrealistic to be able to draft starters throughout the team in four years. Yes, OL is a priority.
As I remember, the Kwame was drafted before McCloughan/Nolan’s time.
Also, Snyder is still starting over Pashos. He might continue to upgrade his work at RT and become a solid long-term player there.
I think your way off on the NT. How many actual 2-gap NT exist in the league . . 4 maybe 5? Plus if you draft one, he won’t be any good for at least two years. The 49ers are a Top 5 defensive team now, and Franklin has played well.
With Franklin's...
… deal finishing up at the end of this year, are you proposing they re-sign him? Even so, they’ll need someone for the future, and if I’m not mistaken, most of the leagues’ better NT’s are first round picks.
Franklin has played
very very well….he is underrated. How does everyone think willis, spikes and lawson are roaming free back there? Come on now…no NT would mean no pass rush by the LB’s. In a 3-4 scheme it is all about the NT plugging gaps.
"Of all the things in the world losing isn't so bad; it just starts to feel like it does when you do it for so long"
That's kind of...
… the misconception with the 49ers, though. Franklin isn’t your typical eat up space NT. He’s improved because the 49ers have stopped asking him to take up multiple gaps. The 49ers should seriously consider looking at a multi-gap NT. I don’t know if that kind of guy’s going to be available in FA or the draft. As I’ve said before, I hate speculating on the draft before the season has played out, so I’ll leave it at that.
A base 3-4 defense calls for a 2-gap NT.
The entire idea behind the 3-4 defense is that the three linemen occupy the entire OL, freeing up the LBs to make the tackles. And the NT is the linchpin that makes it all work. If the NT can’t handle 2-gap responsibilities, a LB must fill that gap, removing him from the play. When the NT covers both gaps, it frees up all the LBs to make plays.
Franklin has been doing a great job 1-gapping and penetrating, but he’s not attracting double teams and he leaves one gap for a LB to plug. Now just imagine how effective our LB corps could be if that extra O-lineman was forced to double up on the NT – that takes away a run blocker or a pass blocker, allowing the LBs to pour through. A true 2-gap NT would allow the 9er defense to take another step up into elite territory. Besides, A. Franklin’s contract is up, he’s over 30, and the 9er’s FO hasn’t attempted to extend or renegotiate his contract as they have several other players they want to keep. This could be a sign the team doesn’t intend to keep him.
I don’t know how many true 2-gap NTs there are in the NFL, but it’s obviously limited by the number of base 3-4 defenses used. Ngata in Baltimore, Wilfork in NE, J. Williams in SD, S. Rogers in Cleveland, and probably a few others qualify. Then there are guys like Haynesworth who undoubtedly can play 2-gap but play in 4-3 defenses.
You pretty much named the 4 or 5 in the league. I believe there is now 12 teams running the 3-4 defense in the NFL. A 2-gap NT still seems more of a luxury . . . like a FS with the speed to cover both sidelines.
NFC Teams
49ers
Cardinals
Packers
Cowboys
Saints (Gregg Williams toys with it)
AFC Teams
Broncos
Chargers
Ravens
Steelers
Browns
Patriots
Dolphins
Jets
The best part about looking at this list is dissecting the coaching trees. The Parcell’s imprint is on the Cowboys and Dolphins with his spin off bringing the defense to the Patriots (Belichick). The Cardinals get their 3-4 roots from Steelers coaching tree. Wade Phillps built the current 3-4 in San Diego and now tries to continue the trend in Dallas. Don Capers has resurrected to bring the defense to the Packers. The 49ers are a spin off of the Ravens. The Browns are a spin off of the Patriots. The Broncos and Jets are combined spin off of both the Ravens and Patriots.
The 49ers are a spin off of the Ravens.
With Manusky being a Wade Phillips’ product and suggested successor a few years back, I’d say that the 49ers defense probably resembles more of the Cowboys or Chargers version of the 3-4.
True
I didn’t think about it. I was assuming Manusky was still running the base 3-4 that Nolan waffled on. Assumed Manusky would have more Nolan influence after a few seasons under his wing but now that you bring it up I see more of a Chargers style 3-4 than I do Ravens. Good call.
The 49ers are a spin off of both the Ravens and Chargers. Defensive personnel wise they follow the pattern of the Ravens (Nolan’s influence), but rushing 4 and dropping 7 into coverage is more Charger style than the Raven’s exotic blitz packages.
They have to corner to repalce Walt
Brown, who will still likely be a nickel back next year with Spencer and Nate starting. As for KR, well, that’s tough because the player has to play another position as well. So it comes down to him being a backup RB (like Sproles), DB (like Clements earlier in his career) or WR (which we now have too many of).
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
I wonder what is going on with the Franklin contract
I know you say he is 30 years old but NT is one of those few positions that has a lot of longevity in the league. It’s one of those positions where very few guys can do it, so even a mild run of success will keep you employed by teams hoping to take the chance. There are a lot of old NT that bounce around the league for years. Ted Washington was still winning championships well over a decade after Seifert drafted him as a DE bust.
Franklin can still give the team another 2-3 good years even if they draft a 1st round NT because it takes a few years to develop that kind of player. Why play the 2010 season with an obvious hole in the defense, unless the price to re-sign Franklin is just too high.
Why play the 2010 season with an obvious hole in the defense, unless the price to re-sign Franklin is just too high.
That’s the thing. As you mentioned, a “successful” 3-4 NT is almost always in demand, thus keeping them employed, possibly, beyond their useful years. I’m not suggesting Franklin will get anything remotely close to an elite NT’s money, but I’d imagine he’ll get a pretty shiny penny when all is said and done. Whether or not that is with the 49ers will be the interesting thing.
Example: Mike Nolan is running his 3-4 with Ronald Fields as the NT, even though in the past Nolan has said Fields is better as LDE (I believe) and plugged Franklin in as a NT. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nolan suggests to his GM/HC that Franklin could be useful to the Broncos, too (assuming he’s still the defensive coordinator and hadn’t moved onto a new HC gig).
McClo has been extending contracts ahead of 2010 and CBA.
There is serious incentive for McCloughan to either extend or renegotiate Franklin’s contract ahead of FA. One incentive is that 2010 will be an uncapped year, meaning owners and GMs can spend like sailors on players they want – a bidding war under those conditions is not an attractive option. Another incentive is the uncertainty revolving around a new CBA – nobody knows how it will turn out and what kind of salary/FA restrictions will be in it. But the point is that McCloughan has been extending the contracts of players the team wants to keep but hasn’t done anything will Franklin, who plays a key position and is playing well. Why not? Or has he tried but Franklin wants to try the FA market first to set a market price?
But any way one looks at it, there is a very real chance Franklin won’t be here after this year and there is very little behind him. Maybe Sopoaga can do better at NT this time around and there is no need to get excited. Or maybe McClo brings in V. Wilfork as a FA next spring, or someone else in a trade.
A 2-gap NT may be a luxury for a mediocre defense, but one definite way to improve the 9er defense is to get a 2-gapper. More important than a new Safety? Yes. More important than an OG & OT? No, unless Franklin is gone. But there’s no doubt in my mind a true 2-gap NT could propel the 9er defense into the elite range.
Kwame was 2003 the first Erickson pick I think
We had just fired Mooch and hired Dennis the Menace
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Oct 9, 2009 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Basically
This team is the same as last year. No major changes. It’s what Sing has done !! All the CREDIT is due to Sing. Now that The Coach has shown McC were the real problems are, I’ll reserve judgement on McC until after next year Draft ! Really, it wasn’t that hard to understand. 110 sacks in 2 years should have been a wake up call. Just look how many sacks Hill has taken already this year. Duh !!!
The players are maturing, too.
Like Sing said in his interview, a lot of it is guys maturing and developing their craft. But I’d still give Sing at least 50% of the credit. He’s simplified the defense into a standard 3-4 instead of Nolan’s hybrid that had a lot of players confused.
we'd be a shaky 2-2 with Nolan still at the helm
McC may have pulled more triggers during the free agency period, but the 53 man roster is Buying into Coach Sings way of approaching the game, not on who we sign.
Physical with an “F”!
NINERS 4 LIFE
2-2?
More like 1-3 with a loss coming up against ATL.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 9, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

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