Golden Nuggets: Shaun Hill is still the best option... happy?

by James Brady on Apr 9, 2009 3:00 AM PDT in 49ers Links

Whoops..! Almost ehhh.. forgot to post the Nuggets tonight. I was listening to lots of music and I drifted. Either way, I'm totally here and I'm not even sure about what articles I'm going to be finding. I'm doubting there's going to be a lot, so I'll ramble for a moment. I happen to like Freeman at QB. I don't quite think he's a great option at QB, and I didn't ever condone taking him with the first pick. With the second? That's iffy as well, but I wouldn't mind having him on the roster. I'd rather have him than Sanchez or Stafford, because personally, I don't like either of them. But ultimately, and take this to heart, my beloved Nation, I don't care if we don't draft one because Shaun Hill is the best option available right now and that doesn't worry me in the slightest. Anything else? K, here's the links I've got for now.

At some point in the draft, the 49ers will pick a running back. I wonder who they'll go for? I really home Thomas Clayton isn't out of the picture.. And if he is, I hope he shines somewhere else, the guy deserves it. (PressDemocrat.com)

Jed York is working hard on improving the 49ers practive facilities. Good job? (PressDemocrat.com)

So are the 49ers serious about drafting a quarterback? We'll see. (SFGate.com)

Samuel Lam takes a look at QB Josh Freeman. (MVN.com)

A look at OT Jason Smith. (49ers.com)

A small school CB is visiting the 49ers, and oddly enough I know of and have seen this guy play. I really like this, and I hope we grab him pretty late if possible. Though, as I said before, Brown is my guy. (SacBee.com)

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sigh

And if he is, I hope he shines somewhere else, the guy deserves it.

Based on what?

What has Thomas Clayton done that makes him any more worthy or deserving of a chance to shine than any other running back ever? This Thomas Clayton fanboy enigma continues to boggle my mind.

by shlecko on Apr 9, 2009 4:10 AM PDT reply actions

shlecko, you may be reading this wrong.

I don’t think there is a huge fan club for Clayton. Oh, I think a lot of people liked how he looked the last couple of Augusts. Rather, I think that a lot of people wonder, since Gore has been injured for stretches the last couple of years, Robinson has been pretty terrible carrying the ball and Foster wasn’t much better, why was Clayton carried on the roster and never put into a game?

Running backs have the easiest learning curve in advancing from college to pro. And on most squads backup running backs get the opportunity to get on the field. And there were plenty of opportunities the last couple of years. So the enigma is really why has he been good enough to keep around but not good enough to play? If the Niners pick up a running back or two in the draft it’s likely that Clayton will be gone, and then we may get an explanation for his curious career here in SF.

I’ve seen one poster say he was a lousy blocker and avoided contact. If that is the case, why didn’t the Niners cut him long ago?

Anyway, I’d like to see him get playing time somewhere, if not here, just to see what he can do.

by Bob In Beaverton on Apr 9, 2009 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Robinson, Foster

Because we used michael robinson too many times. He had 19 carries and only 50 yards which is an average of 2.6 ypc. Deshaun Foster had 76 carries for 234 which is an average of 3.1 ypc. Pretty much no team uses 4 different rbs. The only one I can think of is the patriots. Thomas Clayton hasn’t done anything bad/wrong so why are you against him? Robinson was given the ball at the end of the cardinals MNF game and did not make it in. I’m not blaming Robinson for that but he hasn’t done anything really good for the 49ers. Clayton was put on the active roster for Miami game (didn’t get any carries). He has done good in preseason, so why not have him play in a regular season game? Just because we draft a rb doesn’t mean that the rb will be ahead of Clayton on the depth chart. Who knows, he might be like a derrick ward that the giants had last year. Also Martz is a passing guy. He probably doesn’t know too much about analyzing rbs and he was stupid and wanted to pass so that is probably why Clayton hasn’t gotten a chance to play.

by iaalexeeff on Apr 9, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Fan club.

I think there is a pretty big Clayton fan club. Just not where it matters to Clayton.

by sfgfan on Apr 10, 2009 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

why was Clayton carried on the roster and never put into a game?

Could have been a block from someone snatching him off the practice squad.

I’ve seen one poster say he was a lousy blocker and avoided contact. If that is the case, why didn’t the Niners cut him long ago?

Because he knows the system and therefore can fill in if they are in dire need of a RB (i.e. Robinson or Foster had gone down).

by sfgfan on Apr 10, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Is Michael Robinson valuable?

I know he’s a great athlete, but is he actually good at anything? He seems to be a poor option at RB, but maybe I’m missing something.

by Neon on Apr 10, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions

M.Robinson

Apparently the 49ers feel he’s a special teams asset, and a decent enough third running back option to warrant himself a roster spot. Time will tell (meaning by the end of this training camp) if those feelings were Nolans alone or if they were shared across the entire coaching staff.

Clayton, while he has shown the ability to run in the preseason, maybe doesn’t provide the team with any value beyond that (which is something you look for in a third string back, which is what he would have been last year regardless if Robinson was written off or not, as Foster was brought in and being paid to back up Gore).

by sfgfan on Apr 10, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Is Clayton any good on special teams?

It seems like Clayton’s a better backup RB, I guess the question is why hasn’t he been asked to do the things Robinson does on special teams. I’m thinking Clayton takes Robinson’s roster spot, unless Robinson’s that much better on special teams or the team has Wildcat hopes for Robinson.

by Neon on Apr 10, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions