Rethinking draft priorities
by thefaithful on Dec 6, 2009 5:58 PM PST
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PrintBefore the last three weeks, I had always pegged the niners' draft priorities as O-line, then pass rush, then maybe QB. Then it would've made sense to take the best player available with the Panthers' pick and then o-line with our own pick which would be a little bit lower.
Last two weeks the linebackers have really been stepping up the pass rush with six sacks last week and five or six today. Haralson and Lawson both have sacks in each of the last three games and Brooks got one today too. You could still argue that we need another defensive end, but I think that pass rusher is becoming a bit less of a dire need. The offensive line definitely looks better lately, at least in terms of pass protection. This is still a major need that must be addressed during the draft.
However, I now think the biggest hole is the secondary. They just don't seem to be able to stop 15 to 20 yard passes and it is absolutely murdering the team's chances. There are some game changers in the secondary who very well could fall to at least one of the niners' picks, think Berry, Haden, maybe Mays.
Also, it looks like Smith has at least earned another year, indicating we don't take a QB in the first few rounds at least.
I'm interested in hearing how everyone thinks the niners' draft board should look going into the draft. Where do we need the most help and who should we target?
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 think we should take someone for the secondary with one of the picks and then see what is available for the other while probably going for OL or DL.
Need new GM to make the right picks
Anyone can have a good first round pick but McCluin has proven he can get talent out of the later rounds. untill we get someone who can we will not succede
You might want to join in
on the “Official Updated NN Offseason Discussion Thread” I think some of your thoughts would echo some of the others on there. “We’ve” been feeling that way for a bit as well at least some of us.
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Dec 6, 2009 6:11 PM PST reply actions
Look under fanposts...
Recently active and you should be able to find it
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Dec 6, 2009 6:17 PM PST up reply actions
in this next draft
i dont think we need to address depth as so much as finding good talent that can start or play an important role. By that standard, our biggest needs are offensive line and secondary. these should probably be addressed in our first round picks. later in the draft, i would like to see the team take a kick returner as i cannot stand seeing arnaz battle and robinson doing any return work(josh morgan at least has speed).
i may be alone on this one, but depending on where he is projected to go, i think tim tebow would have the highest chance of succeeding in the NFL under coach sing. both are hard nosed, team players (not to mention christians, which may have some influence with sing) and i see tebow being the football equiv. of tyler hansborough. but other than that i think alex smith will be good enough for the next two years or until Nate Davis is ready to take over and become an absolute stud(he is probably the most talented, albeit most raw, qb on the team, imho)
He compared him to tyler hansborough
Not a fan of the NBA at all but has he done anything really in the pros?
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Dec 6, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
well its still early
but he was impressive apparently during training camp.
my point is that although the physical skills may not appear to be there, we should never underestimate someone’s heart to get things done. i dont think tebow will ever be an all-pro qb, but i def think that he’ll find a way to contribute in the nfl
Ok I must have misread you somehwere.
I thought you wer saying that he was going to be a first rounder and QB. Must have been reading too fast, sorry. I do agree that he can quite possibly be a good H-Back or something.
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Dec 7, 2009 9:45 AM PST up reply actions
If Alex Smith is good enough
for the next two years, why wouldn’t he be good enough after that? The guy is 25, he has at least 10 years left on him (barring any terrible injury). Why can’t he be the QB of the niners for more than 2 years? Of course this is assuming he continues to improve.
"We want WINNERS!" - Coach Singletary
I didn't see anyone say otherwise
Unless I’m misreading you, I totally agreeing with you. It took Young a while, I remember being in bars during the early Niners and hearing calls for Young’s head. It could happen it could not. Time will tell.
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Dec 6, 2009 7:36 PM PST up reply actions
Tebow has the highest chance of succeeding
as a blocking TE
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 6, 2009 9:42 PM PST up reply actions
I agree
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 6, 2009 10:29 PM PST up reply actions
blocking TE?
he played QB. I don’t see him as a blocking TE. He may be some sort of H-Back for FB or something. Whichever team gets him will probably do some wildcat plays
Go 49ers
He's incredibly strong and he's got the size of a TE not a FB/RB
He’s too big and he doesn’t run like Brandon Jacobs.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 7, 2009 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
hoping the concussions have him fall even further
but he’s in our backyard, the fans like him…that plays into it. If we address needs with first two picks, I’m all for a shifty RB.
I’m sorry to say Gore’s vision has pissed me off over and over, yesterday was no exception. I know he didn’t get the ball much at all…but he doesn’t see cutback lanes and this O-Line is a “moving pile” type of line. If he’s a one-cut runner…sometimes that one-cut needs to be a cut-back.
The secondary is fine
The secondary is fine. The reason the secondary isn’t performing so well against the pass is likely because the entire defense is geared toward defending against the run. I’m no football expert, but I figure that it takes an ample sense of prediction (and experience) in order to defend well against the pass. That is something that I think the current defensive lineup of the 49ers will continue to build on. It clearly demonstrated its potential when it outplayed Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts for the vast majority of the game.
At this point we desperately need a solid kick returner, and not legitimate wide receivers reassigned to the role. Given what little I know of the 49ers from the 1980s and 1990s, it would probably be in the team’s best interest to assign a running back to kick returning duties. Running backs, in my opinion, make a better choice for kick returns because of their typically greater capacity (relative to wide receivers) to control the ball and see routes through coverage; whereas, a wide receiver is more likely to be more reliant on looking for open zones, rather than paths and curves to cut through defenders, if you catch my drift. The best example of this was 49ers running back/kick returner Dexter Carter (#35), who always put the 49ers offense in at least decent field position.
I disagree
The secondary is not fine.
Dashon Goldson takes horrible angles to the ball and misses many tackles, Tarrell Brown is not very good against bigger WRs, Dre Bly is a solid nickel back but he shouldn’t be starting, Shantwae Spencer is OK but wouldn’t you want an elite CB that can just shut down one side of the field?
I envy the Jets because they have Darelle Reevis who can just shut down anybody that lines up in front of him.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 6, 2009 10:32 PM PST up reply actions
Wouldn’t mind adding Haden or Berry and Spencer is solid.
49ers Al Grito De Guerra!!! hahaha
by 49erSalvatrucha on Dec 7, 2009 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah, I said Spencer was OK
But more talent certainly wouldn’t hurt
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 7, 2009 11:31 AM PST up reply actions
I agree
An another corner and a SS that can play in the box and cover is becoming a priority. Lewis is great and roman is okay, but too many big plays in close games. We have to win those close games now. No team is going to underestimate us next year and our schedule will be tougher.
Let's get the division!
He doesn't even play that much
He only plays in dime packages (which we don’t use too often).
Dashon Goldson has been pretty bad though…..
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 6, 2009 10:33 PM PST up reply actions
the biggest hole is still the offensive line, but
They generally need to stick to “most talented player” for the first 3 picks ( 1st and 2nd rounds ).
The offensive line is not looking horrific lately, but it’s because all the passes are coming out in 2-2.5 seconds and they are not running the ball. When they do run the ball it is still horrific, and when they try a deep developing pattern, Smith still gets killed.
Can’t overlook the fact that the team can simply not run the ball for a yard when needed, and can’t run the ball for 4 yards on a standard running play.
by whistlingmountain on Dec 6, 2009 7:22 PM PST reply actions
When Alex gets all day to pass
He will shred D’s like he did at Utah.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 6, 2009 9:45 PM PST up reply actions
Its still O-Line
but assuming Bulaga comes out our Lineman will likely be there between 15-25… WE NEED TO GET A 3rd 1st rounder somehow. (Without getting rid of our high 2nd round pick). We need to revamp the secondary with the high picks since we aren’t going to get Okung then use that extra 1st round pick to get Bulaga.
We need a dominant Tackle to protect Alex and to help set up our running game. It will improve our offense immensely. The improved secondary will protect us on those occasions when that isn’t enough.
Gimme 1 round!
The economics of so many first rounders bothers me
we’re talking a high first (either us or Carolina) and then let’s say a 16 and then a 25. That’s kinda taxing on a salary cap.
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Dec 6, 2009 9:59 PM PST up reply actions
Depends on the new CBA
If there’s a new one it’ll most likely have a rookie pay scale built in.
If there isn’t then we don’t have to worry about the salary cap
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will get picked in the first round.
There probably won't be a cap next season
And after that the new CBA will probably have a lower cap number (than this year) with the possibility of a rookie pay scale.
With no cap next season the 49ers need all the $$$ they can get though (a new stadium would really help).
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 6, 2009 10:35 PM PST up reply actions
even with the current CBA
After 10 the price drops and even more after 15, plus we need the help
Black Sand Ninja Here!!
Ban the Trolls, FF find a new home!!
you say 3 first rounders
but you only mention secondary and OT. What are you using each pick for? I’d like to see the best DB/OL/RB with our first 3 picks no matter which round the 3rd pick comes in.
Even if GLEN COFFEE IS OUR FUTURE…we need more depth and a returner too. The RB we draft (if we draft) has to be able to return…or else Coffee does. I can’t let go of M.Rob. The guy has given his life to the 9ers and is skilled in so many areas, especially ST’s.
Our return man will be there late
Trindon Holliday or one of the other track guys that can wear pads.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 8, 2009 7:38 AM PST up reply actions
O Line is a hole and The eSecondary is a gaping hole as well
We need another CB (with speed, coverage skills, and tackling ability) We also need a FS and possibly a SS. Goldson is too sloppy at tackling for SS, IMO. We also need a LG and a RT. These need to be the first 4 areas addressed and not in that order. If Berry is gone with the early pick, I say get Spiller, he’s the real deal, he can catch run with the best of them and KR skills as well. The number two is RT no matter what happens with the first. 3rd pick is for G so we get the best avail. then CB. I don’t think Haden is a lock down corner at the next level
Black Sand Ninja Here!!
Ban the Trolls, FF find a new home!!
I Think The Largest Needs
are the secondary and offensive line. But i think we can resolve the o-line issue either eternally of through free agency. Eric Berry and Joe Haden are two players that jump out at me in the draft.
Regarding QB, it appears we are set and have no need drafting one early. Maybe a mid round pick. But it does look like Alex Smith is coming into his own.
His last 3 Games
70-119, .600 comp % 769 Yards 7TD 1INT
2009 Season
.631 Comp % 1577 Yards 13TD 7INT
Pretty good numbers wouldn’t you say?
"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"
by nocal81(Vincent) on Dec 6, 2009 11:04 PM PST reply actions
Great numbers Alex is fine
I think we do what we have to to get the best OL help
Black Sand Ninja Here!!
Ban the Trolls, FF find a new home!!
i like this kid for a 3rd round selection
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=2414
Black Sand Ninja Here!!
Ban the Trolls, FF find a new home!!
sounds good...
I want a guy who wants to be a shutdown corner. On anyone. Fast, big, anyone.
The 185lbs. worries me a little…that’s a tad small…but I’m sure he’ll put on some weight before he’s starting his first NFL game.
As far as secondary goes I would love to get a wiley veteran who can still play too. Not Dre Bly…but someone who’s smart and can mentor this young secondary.
What happened to the talk of Clements to FS? Too much money to be a FS? He likes to tackle and has better range than Goldson but not a ton of speed to be the shutdown CB we need.
ANd I like
this guy Perish Cox maybe in the second?
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=2183
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Dec 7, 2009 9:52 AM PST up reply actions
And I like this guy (Rolle) as well
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=1638
Maybe the worries might drop him down a good bit would be a good project if he doesnt’ climb up the “charts”
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Dec 7, 2009 9:55 AM PST up reply actions
I'd say he'll be a 1st to 2nd rounder
I’ve mentioned him before but he’s not well liked by some around here.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 7, 2009 11:33 AM PST up reply actions
We need help in the secondary ...
and a stud O-linemen to help out Alex next year
Also I would love to have a speedy check down back like CJ Spiller or Jahvid Best would greatly help out Alex when he’s throwing out of the spread.
Someone to run out to the flats, quick post, screens etc… like a Harvin/Sproles type player.
play calling killed the niners
What most of you dont realize is their success is mostly because of play calling, and what keeps you safe and gives you time to be successful as a QB, ( Offensive Line ). Shaun Hill was kicking major ass when he was in the Shotgun position and when they let him pass more. But then the play calling changed and Shaun Hill was put up on the line instead of being placed in the Shotgun just like Alex Smith last game. And they used the run as a last resort instead of running on first and second downs, then trying to pass when the defense is set up for pass because it is 3rd down. Very stupid play calling, just like you brain dead fans.
by KORY SHEETS WAS OUR FUTURE on Dec 6, 2009 11:55 PM PST reply actions
Compare Alex and Shaun's stats in the shotgun
And don’t forget that Shaun had a healthy Joe Staley too.
How many times has Alex Smith been sacked since he’s been in? Shaun Hill?
How many fumbles has Alex had recently? Shaun Hill?
We’re the brain dead fans?
You’re the one that makes random statements with no support.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 7, 2009 12:11 AM PST up reply actions
KORY SHEETS IS OUR FUTURE
SO who is the one talking about brain dead fans…. ha ha ha ha your a joke.
I Like Shaun Hill
He is a gamer to say the least, but at this point he is nothing more then a good backup QB. Alex Smith has earned the right to start next season, i am looking for big things from him and our offense in the 2nd half. With him, Crabtree, Davis and Morgan becoming more comfortable it enables us to look at other positions in the draft and free agency. OT, G, DL, CB and S.
If Smith finishes 2009 with stats like this 2,600 Yards 21TD and 10 INT i think that would squash any idea of replacing him in 2010.
"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"
by nocal81(Vincent) on Dec 7, 2009 1:25 AM PST reply actions
Alex Smith stats
They’re certainly attainable.
I also like how he hasn’t fumbled since the TEN game.
(Shaun Hill fumbled on every game he started right?)
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 7, 2009 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
I need to see more
I need to see how he plays under center. We have weapons on offense. A Speed WR and RB and I think we are definite front runners for the division. What I am not seeing is when we have the ball and need to drive down the field where is that “it factor” that we saw when he beat the Cardinals. I need to see that next game. I think this will be his bid for the starting QB next year.
Let's get the division!
His two TDs yesterday came from plays under center
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Dec 7, 2009 10:01 PM PST up reply actions
Mean
In the final quarter of the season.
"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"
by nocal81(Vincent) on Dec 7, 2009 1:25 AM PST reply actions
the team needs more speed at WR ,CB, S, RB
your TEs and MLB shouldn’t be your faster players. If they get Berry or Haden that would help the secondary’s lack of speed. We need a RB/WR who can return kicks/punts and is really fast
Go 49ers
VD ran a 4.38
Electronically timed at the combine… Very few guys run that fast WR, RB or anything else. That’s why he’s the fastest on the team
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 8, 2009 7:46 AM PST up reply actions
VD is fast
the rest of the team isn’t slow. Nobody has a TE that runs a 4.38. Most deep-threat WR’s run that, as well as CB’s.
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