Mike Singletary Monday lunch press conference: Lions edition

by David Fucillo on Dec 28, 2009 11:45 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

The 49ers wrapped up their home schedule with a 20-6 win over the Lions yesterday. That leaves them with a 6-2 home schedule. A win next week at St. Louis would leave them with a 2-6 road schedule. Certainly not the kind of finish that anybody would like. They'll definitely have to work on their approach to road games heading into next season.

Since it's Monday and lunch is fast approaching, we're back with Mike Singletary's morning after press conference. I'd imagine he'll address Alex Smith's performance. He'll certainly get plenty of questions about the offense, but I'm not sure what we can expect about the defense. Maybe why the defense seemed to have more intensity throughout the game than the offense. That's certainly on my mind.

So, feel free to use this as an open thread for discussing Coach Singletary's press conference, or whatever else. For those who miss the press conference, you can view the video over at 49ers.com or you can wait for me to post the transcript of the press conference later this afternoon.

Live Press Conference Link

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some highlights

Ahmad Brooks will compete for a starting OLB spot on either side this off-season.

Nedney and Clements wont play this week.

If Rachal can’t play (having MRI today) Sing didn’t name replacement, though it would have to be Wragge or Wallace (who’s been trying to add Guard to his repertoire).

The Niners will address return specialist in the off-season. Sing and Raye don’t like using starting WR/CB’s as return men.

Singletary also eluded to the fact that he really wanted to get a quality OL in the off-season this last year but “it didn’t happen” and they were forced to try and figure something out, then “Pashos came in later”…this said to me that he perhaps didn’t believe the FO shared his passion for getting a quality OL in FA or the Draft. It was telling.

Singletary also said Goldson and Brooks were really maturing. It’s obvious they are favorites of his and under his wing. I look for both to have huge seasons next year.

Question is…if Brooks warrants a starting job, what happens to the guy he supplants (Brooks or Lawson)? I would love the depth but do you think they’d keep all 3?

Oh, almost forgot. When talking about passing down the field more and such Singletary said that if you look around the league he thinks successful deep throws have more to do with QB’s getting the ball out quickly, at the right time, and feeling the protection, moving a little in the pocket, etc. To me he was calling out A.Smith a little, saying that he has to work with the protection he’s got and that it’s up to Smith to feel the rush and slide, move and also get the ball out.

He acknowledged that the better lines in the league have had most of the guys together for 2+ years too but seemed to keep going back to having to deal with what they had.

I think he will clamor for several stud OL’s this off-season and also expect Alex’s pocket presence to improve. If he’s successful in getting these two things to happen…we could be looking at a semi-competitive offense!

"Vernon is going to be a great tight end one day, but he's got to put the whole package together." - Thanks Sing for echoing this.

by Tre9er on Dec 28, 2009 12:30 PM PST reply actions

I would love the depth but do you think they’d keep all 3?

It’s possible but I would say it depends on Manny Lawson.
Would he accept a back-up contract extension?
Or does he leave via FA?

I think that Manny Lawson is very good in run-support and in coverage but his pass-rush skills are mediocre.
If he doesn’t want to be paid like a 2-down player (that’s all he is right now) then he can leave.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Dec 28, 2009 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

Manny has more sacks that Haralson

I know that’s not the only story of pressure on the QB but Brooks may supplant Parys instead of Manny.

And for this defense to truly be top-10, the position that most needs upgrage in the front seven is LDE. Sop is good at run D but not dominant and he does not help push the pocket back on early down passing plays.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Dec 28, 2009 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

I agree

I personally rank our OLB’s Brooks, Lawson, then Haralson. We resigned Haralson fairly cheap and he also plays LE in the Nickel (w/o any pressure) i have been arguing the need for an upgrade at LDE, being top 5 in rush D has no merit in top 5 in pass d. Where our offense is now I would assuem the direction would be top 3 defense and whatever offense we cna muster. kudos for him knowing to address PR/KR this offseason and to not use anyone on the roster currently.

True knowledge is knowing you know nothing!

Trade up for Berry Scot it's the move to make. "Who is Berry?"..............Here we go again!!

by rlott#42 on Dec 28, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions

hold on here

This has been the starting Nickel D-Line to my knowledge:

L———————————————————————————R
Brooks – Balmer – McDonald – Justin Smith

I think Brooks makes our Nickel a solid unit.

I agree that our base defense needs more push up field than we get with Soap though. Heck, he and Franklin aren’t getting younger either. I suppose Balmer was intended to work into one of those roles?

"Vernon is going to be a great tight end one day, but he's got to put the whole package together." - Thanks Sing for echoing this.

by Tre9er on Dec 28, 2009 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

I'm thinking base D not nickel

The nickel has done pretty good with the group you listed. But teams beat the Niners when they pass on first down or 2nd/3rd and short, because McDonald is not on the field nor is Brooks. The Niners need to get better pressure on the QB from their starting LDE (think Dockett). A number of times this season one of the OLB has come around the corner but the QB never had to drop deep enough to get sacked. He just steps up and throws cleanly up the field, usually after 4+ seconds. That means the secondary has done their job but they can’t cover forever. Teams double Smith and the rest is usually easy. That has to stop.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Dec 28, 2009 2:48 PM PST up reply actions

true

even if Brooks becomes a 3-down OLB he may not be pass rushing in base looks.

"Vernon is going to be a great tight end one day, but he's got to put the whole package together." - Thanks Sing for echoing this.

by Tre9er on Dec 28, 2009 4:03 PM PST up reply actions

Holding out hope for Balmer

DL tend to have the light turn on in their 3rd year which for Balmer is next season.

I think a mid round pick to add depth and to push the players would be warranted at the least.

by Dave R. on Dec 28, 2009 1:20 PM PST up reply actions

I believe in Balmer's ability to do what Sop does

Occupy blockers and help in the run D. I’m not convinced he’ll help collapse the pocket on pass rush. But I’d love to be wrong.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Dec 28, 2009 2:49 PM PST up reply actions

we need to clone Justin Smith

what would it be like to have two of him at either DE on all downs?!?

"Vernon is going to be a great tight end one day, but he's got to put the whole package together." - Thanks Sing for echoing this.

by Tre9er on Dec 28, 2009 4:05 PM PST up reply actions

It would be having a legit top 10 defense

And even with the issues on kick returns and offense it would mean an extra win or two this season. At this point two more wins would mean still alive for the playoffs.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Dec 29, 2009 12:04 AM PST up reply actions

I would have asked Singletary if he had seen “The Blind Side” over the holidays.

Gee, you think he wanted offensive lineman? Singletary could have been posting on here for 12 months begging for an offensive line like the rest of us. He certainly made a lot of noise about playing fysical and running the ball in the off season. Can we just give the man a OT and extra guard to try his plan out?

by bignerd on Dec 28, 2009 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

Who is gonna draft them Kid? You?

Well, we're waiting....

by drummer on Dec 28, 2009 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

I’m not convinced this is the year to be drafting lineman. The top guy on the board probably isn’t on the same level as the 4 guys drafted in the 1st round last year.

Knowing our GM, our 1st pick will be Brandon Spikes and god forbid what the other pick will be (Tebow).

by bignerd on Dec 28, 2009 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

LOL, Tebow..

ScotM will draft Tebow solely to mentor Smith

Well, we're waiting....

by drummer on Dec 28, 2009 2:19 PM PST up reply actions

i hope we get brandon spikes

49ers are the best there was the best there is and the best there ever will be

by swagger on Dec 28, 2009 3:07 PM PST reply actions

Would be kinda cool

to have Takeo & his cousin on the same team

by Mangoman on Dec 28, 2009 3:11 PM PST up reply actions

Very impressive numbers this year Brandon has. Tied for third on the team in tackles, 5.5 TFL’s, 3 sacks and 2 INT’s.

by Mangoman on Dec 28, 2009 3:20 PM PST up reply actions

He's also slow to react

And IMO Takeo Spikes > Brandon Spikes.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Dec 28, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions

Slow to react?

I’ve never heard that about LB before.

I think any top prospect is >>> Scott McKillop who is just plain slow. What’s been the point of beefing up the defensive line to keep blockers off the LB’s if the LB isn’t fast enough to catch the offensive player?

by bignerd on Dec 28, 2009 4:48 PM PST up reply actions

Me Too

As much as I scream about the offensive line I wouldn’t mind if the 49ers spent both 1st round picks on the defense, albeit no DE projects or CBs. Brandon Spikes and one of the top 3 safeties would make the 49ers an elite defense, if not the elite defense.

Why I am so against 1st round DE and CB players, because they are typically huge busts. Not to mention another rangy LB and S would make playing CB easy.

by bignerd on Dec 28, 2009 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

Sing basically said that OL and Return man are two of the primary needs this coming offseason.

DE is not a big need… yes it would be nice to find the next Smith for the LDE but it is not a priority.
He also didn’t say anything about CB and praised the growth of Goldson. So maybe Safety is also not one of his priorities.
They are going to go after what Sing needs first and foremost, then to the best of the rest. OT will be one of the 1st rounders unless there is a CBA and we get a top OT there.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Dec 28, 2009 11:36 PM PST up reply actions