Devil's Advocate: The Valley of Darkness

by supraman on May 4, 2009 12:30 AM PDT

Gather round members. Here's how are offseason went so far, from the other side of the bridge. No 49er bias included in this story.

1. Hiring Singletary

A fiery emotional HOF linebacker that gave the 49ers the motivation to go out 5-4 through the last 9 games of the season. Or did he? Could it be possible that this was the affect Shaun Hill had on the team. I give credit to Singletary for benching JTO, but is it possible that if Nolan was still there that Shaun Hill could of went on to have the same 5-3 starting record? Now, I've never liked Nolan since he's been the HC for the 49ers, mainly because the 2005 1st Overall pick who's name shall not be mentioned. It was sort of enjoyable to watch the 2 feud, but that's about all the good that came from Nolan. Singletary's only mistake so far was not getting that timeout at the end of the Cardinal, which I think he still kicks himself over. The 49ers have been competitive ever since the pants incident, nice to know you can expect a team that "wants it" when they walk out onto the field on game day.

2. Hiring Raye

Is he the right guy for our players, unlike Martz? Still unsure about this one. It's not too assuring when your 1st choice Scott Linehan rather go to the Lions then become a OC for who some would say is an maybe a playoff contender in 09. What I don't understand here is, is that Scott Linehan's offense is known for passing. It's no Martz scheme but Linehan does run a moderately heavy pass offense. Census would believe Jimmy Raye is bringing a completely different offense to the table. Raye If I remember correctly was only interviewed once and was pretty much hired on the spot. Was it a desperate move by SF or was Sing that sold on Raye?

3. PreDraft - FA

Key additions: Marvel Smith, Brandon Jones, Damon Huard, Demetric Evans. Marvel Smith is a cheaper Jonas Jennings. Brandon Jones an overpaid run-blocker that hasn't done anything in his NFL career to earn 3 mil a year, would've been cheaper to keep Bryant Johnson. Huard a good signing predraft. Demetric Evans adds depth, an okay signing predraft.

4. THE DRAFT

The Draft through my eyes went as follows. "With the 10th overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft the 49ers select Michael Crabtree." There were mixed feelings with this pick. It's difficult to not like the potentially great Crabtree but there were other needs. With 8 more picks to go I had full confidence that McCloughan would address them. Trade 2nd round and 4th round pick to the Panthers with Brown, Barwin, Beatty still on the board, for a future 1st? Seattle just traded their 2nd round pick straight up for a future 1st with the Broncos!? It was just the beginning, in the 3rd round the 49ers select Glen Coffee. Coffee not even the best back on Alabama selected too early here, a reach possibly because McCloughan traded away our 4th round pick. 5th round, Jamon Meredith who was a projected 2nd rounder is still on the board, maybe McC foresaw this drop?Instead McC goes McKillop. Seeing Green Bay select Meredith was the dagger. Nate Davis, Bear Pascoe, Curtis Taylor, Ricky Jeanfrancois. 1 of 4 needs selected on draft day.

The perfect draft would of been: Oher, Rashad Johnson, Deon Butler, Sammy Lee Hill, Duke Robinson, Nate Davis, Kevin Ellison, Tyrell Sutton, Maurice Evans.

5. UDFA

Finally something McCloughan got right. He said that these would be the best UDFA signings and they were, congratulations our practice squad is arguably the best in the league. Now, only if the 49ers were arguably the best team in the league.

6. Postdraft FA

Hope we the fans aren't suppose to expect anything out of Marques Harris.

Brandon Jones and Demetric Evans signings now seem irrelevant.

I guess the 49ers are carrying 4 QBs this year? (2005 1st overall pick, Hill, Huard, Davis) How many RBs? (Gore, Clayton, Robinson, Sheets, Coffee)

Next story....Devil's Advocate: Destroy thy Brothers... coming soon

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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4. The Draft....

We “the 49ers” would’ve probably been able to get the same deal with the Panthers “as the Seahawks did with the Broncos” if the Panther’s had 2 1st rounds for next years draft, but they didn’t and the Broncos did so to them it wasn’t losing too much since they had their original 1st round pick for next year anyways. I’m happy with McCloughan’s choice to trade this years 2nd and 4th round for the 1st round, because we have so many opportunities with that extra pick =).

by StevenC on May 4, 2009 1:05 AM PDT reply actions

supra, supra, supra

Where do I begin?

No 49er bias included in this story.

This post is dripping with 49er bias, which is ok. But not when you say that it isn’t 49er biased in the opening paragraph, not ok.

It was sort of enjoyable to watch the 2 feud, but that’s about all the good that came from Nolan.

I was just as frustrated as anyone with Nolan, but the man wasn’t all bad. Not sure who is responsible for drafting Patrick Willis, or signing Justin Smith, but Nolan probably had a little to do with it. Plus, the man looked damned good on the sidelines.

It’s no Martz scheme but Linehan does run a moderately heavy pass offense

Moderately heavy? This seems like a contradiction.

Brandon Jones an overpaid run-blocker that hasn’t done anything in his NFL career to earn 3 mil a year, would’ve been cheaper to keep Bryant Johnson

Maybe so, but I’m not sure how many veteran receivers are standing in line to catch passes from either Smith or Hill. And it’s not your money so chillax.

Wouldn’t be suprised if there are a lot of errors in here, will check over tomorrow.

Really bro, I give you credit for the effort, but you should “check over” your post before posting it.

"I sing a song from Sing-Sing, sipping on ginseng."-- Wu Tang

by jfainsf49 on May 4, 2009 6:54 AM PDT reply actions

Not bias
moderately heavy is contradiction but I’m sure people understand what I mean.
The point is the Brandon Jones move makes no sense.
Editing now..

http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com

by supraman on May 4, 2009 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions

San Fran Draft

While Oher is full of potential, I don’t see him as any more of a sure thing than Crabtree. I actually feel Crabtree is closer to a can’t miss than Oher. The second and fourth round for a first in next years draft is huge. Despite the fact Denver was willing to take less for their #1 next year, I still think you make the move. Next years draft looks very strong, and far superior to this years. Concerned the pick will be #25 because of Carolina’s record this last year? Well, don’t forget Carolina is a year removed from a 7-9 record and two years removed from 8-8. I like the fact the organization is looking to the future.

by n8play on May 4, 2009 7:59 AM PDT reply actions

There's no guarentees

Sure, we get an extra 1st rd. pick that could be a bust or Boom. Who Knows. Everyone ignores that fact that the OL was sad the last 2 years. Granted, Crabtree was a steal, but Giving up 2 choices was not very wise when 3 Tackles started last year. The 2nd rd. pick could have landed a starting RT or at least a decent backup. What did we really get? Not much for the Money. This has got to be the worst draft since ‘02’. I’m still MAD! After looking at the ‘09 Schedule, 6 Division games, 5 playoff teams and 5 poor to middle of the pack, I cann’t see them winning the Division, although I hope they do.

by LASVEGASNINER on May 4, 2009 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Need at tackle

I fully expected San Fran to grab a tackle at some point and felt Max Unger would have been a solid pick in round 2. In hindsight, signing Alex Boone from Ohio State as a rookie free agent was a potentially great move. The first team All-Big Ten tackle may not last long because he has some serious off field problems but I really felt in terms of ability, he was a top 10 tackle. At the combine he posted an excellent 33 reps on the bench press and a 5.16 40 yrd dash which was good enough for 8th fastest among tackles. He projects as a RT but I felt he was just a bit behind Phil Loadholt in terms of ability and Loadholt went in the second round. He may end up in the drunk tank next week but he also could be a solid RT for years to come if he can keep his head on straight. As far as winning the division goes, the 49ers should compete for the division crown but I would prefer a championship in 3 years to a division crown this year, and I think that is the long term plan for Frisco.

by n8play on May 4, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions