Tough Coach, Possibly Tougher Schedule?
by T.O.E. on Jul 3, 2009 12:07 PM PDT
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When I took a look at the Niners’ roster I thought maybe nine wins, then I took a look at the Niners’ 2009 draft picks and I thought maybe twelve, but when I looked at the Niners’ schedule again, my optimism for the upcoming season dropped a little. The Niners could be the victims of untimely scheduling in ’09 more so, then any problem that has crippled the team over recent years; poor coaching, injuries, T.O., no money under the cap to sign talent.
According to ESPN, the Niners’ schedule is ranked as the 26th toughest based on the opponents records from 2008. The rankings are misleading due to the fact that the Niners have to play the Rams twice, Seahawks twice, and the ‘I still can’t believe they’re still allowed to call themselves a professional team’ Detroit Lions once. The opponents for those five games records are 12-68 combined. The Niners still have to play the Cardinals twice, have roads games at Minnesota, Houston, Indianapolis, Green Bay and Philadelphia, and tough home games against Atlanta, Tennessee, Chicago and Jacksonville. Now does that sound like the 26th toughest schedule? Nah.
Though my optimism has taken a hit, I am still very confident that the Niners can make the playoffs. I expect great rookie play from every pick except for Nate Davis, who I think can be a Jeff Garcia type QB, but has to sit for a couple years, Michael Crabtree, who may be slowed down by the toe and seventh-round pick Curtis Taylor, safety from LSU who just may not see much playing time. Frank Gore and fullback Moran Norris are healthy, which is important because now Michael Robinson can share time with Gore along with rookie Glen Coffee, keeping Gore fresh throughout the season.
Regardless of who’s the quarterback, head coach Mike Singletary will make sure the right player is on the field at the right time and if that player isn’t focused, Singletary won’t hesitate to take him out. The 2009 season is going to be tough for the Niners, but if they play hard and stay focused, they have a coach that’s tough enough to take them where they want to be, and that's playing for a Super Bowl in February.
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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Don't look at the schedule!
We would had made the Playoffs in 2006 if we hadn’t played the 4th place schedule. I think we were rewarded with two {site decorum} stompings from juggernauts Saints and Eagles.
a tough home game against Jacksonville?
you know the Jaguars are the team from Jacksonville, right?
that game will compete with the home game against the Rams for easiest game on the schedule.
I take full responsibility for my irresponsibility.
The Jaguars are a far more talented team than the 49ers.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 3, 2009 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions
And please don't tar and feather me for saying that.
They have a spectacular offensive line that only got better, great backs, improved WRs, a young and improving defensive line, and good pieces in their secondary.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 3, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think they have improved WRs
They signed Torry Holt, but Mike Walker and Mike Thomas have either done very little or nothing in the NFL. I don’t think the Jags WRs are improved at all. Jacksonville has suffered since Jimmy Smith retired at the WR position.
Maurice Jones-Drew is a great back, but the other backs aren’t that special. Fred Taylor is in New England this season.
The Jaguars defense is pretty solid. Their secondary is tight, and the D-Line is a handful.
I wouldn’t say they are FAR more talented team, but defintely a talented team and a tough team in 2009.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 3, 2009 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Torry Holt hasn't declined that much.
His numbers dropping was mostly because of Bulger’s decline at QB and a generally poor offense. He still runs routes like a champ and has great hands. He’s old and definitely not going to play more than a few seasons, but he’ll be useful next season. And I know it’s wrong to rely on a rookie, but I think Mike Thomas was an awesome pick and a very underrated prospect, and I think he might have an impact soon as a great #3. Plus, they weeded out the crappy receivers they had before who kept dropping everything in sight.
MJD is an established beast, but their FB Greg Jones is awesome as well, at both rushing and blocking.
People tend to forget that they were injured everywhere, too. Their guards will be back, Tra Thomas is a huge upgrade over Khalif Barnes, and they may possibly have the best young tackle tandem in the game. Rashan Mathis will be back, and Derrick Harvey should show considerable improvement after a respectable rookie season now that he won’t be holding out of training camp. John Henderson is still an elite DT.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 3, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions
What's wrong with relying on a rookie?
Nothing at all. Especially in a system that needs bodies at WR, like Jacksonville. However, Torry Holt and Mike Thomas don’t make for a better corps. I know Holt hasn’t declined much, and is still the consumate professional, but I still don’t see the Jags WR corps very good. I’d give the slight edge to the 49ers in this category.
MJD is a beast. A freaking man beast.
And yes, I agree about the defense.
Jacksonville is a solid team, but not far more talented, just more talented.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 4, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Because, historically, rookies ever come in and make immediate impacts.
And it’s really hard to say the 49ers have a better WR corps. than many teams. Bruce is average and aging, Crabtree could be a megastud but is a rookie and likely won’t produce much, Hill is inconsistent, and Morgan hasn’t proven anything.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 4, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Crab
Bruce put up 800+ yards and 7 TDs. Yes, it was a pass friendly system, but it was the most we’ve had since T.O. left. Bruce is still a player team’s have to account for on defense.
Crab, if he gets man on man coverage, will have immediate success. I hope teams leave him single covered thinking he’s not fast enough, or strong enough. Better yet, if he gets double teamed, more room for other guys to get open.
No, Morgan hasn’t proven much. He has proven that he has big play ability and a set of hands, however. His stats aren’t impressive, but he’s a mismatch WR.
Jason Hill improved nearing the end of 2008, basically taking on Arnaz Battle’s role. Hill has better speed than Battle, and showed he can make things happen when given opportunity. Again, his stats weren’t impressive either, but when Battle got hurt, he took on the role quite well.
Lastly, we have Brandon Jones, the FA from Tennessee. Again, a guy without impressive stats. The discouraging news was McCloughan was touting his blocking ability as a big reason for his signing. In OTAs, however; we learned that Brandon Jones definitely has an “it” factor, and that “it”, is speed.
Isaac Bruce, Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Jason Hill, and Brandon Jones. That list isn’t terrible, but definitely not spectacular. However, this group is better than any group that include Troy Williamson (unless I missed something, and Williamson is playing with a guy named Moss, Randy).
Torry Holt is exactly what Bruce is, proven and aging. Holt will likely not see 1000 yards again, not in Jacksonville’s system. Mike Walker, I’ve obviously never heard of (although many can say the same about Hill, Morgan, or Jones) and Mike Thomas is a rookie in the slot. There’s no experience here that tells me the Jags are better off at WR.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 4, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Agree on Brandon Jones
He can really create mismatches.
I don’t know how they expect to use him but if opposing defenses don’t cover him properly he’ll use his speed to get open easily.
by SportsChicken on Jul 5, 2009 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't see how Singletary's 'toughness' is going to translate into wins.
The first time he was faced with adversity, he mooned everyone in the locker room. While that in itself is awesome, it doesn’t mean that Samurai Mike has the football smarts to out-coach people like Andy Reid, Jack Del Rio, Jeff Fisher, etc…
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
He can’t out coach other great coaches, but the players won’t quit and that’s what’s important. Play calling is crucial when the game is late, but if the players aren’t mentally tough to dig deep and pull out a win, what’s the point of having a great coach.
T.O. Estes III
Fair enough...
But I ask you, have you ever felt that the 49ers players ‘quit’ before?
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 3, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions
When are you going to get the boot from here for just trolling? Seriously, go to the SeaPigeon forum where you belong. Talk about how Hasselbeck is the most underrated QB ever and how your team of WRs and LBs is going to march you deep into the playoffs. If anyone from the Seattle board can come up with one good reason why the team was turned over to Jim Mora Jr you can come back and share because I’m really curious as to why.
"Seattle board can come up with one good reason why the team was turned over to Jim Mora Jr you can come back and share because I’m really curious as to why."
Uh…Because Mike Holmgren retired and they needed a new coach? What kind of stupid question is that?
If you’re so butthurt despite the fact that I’m not trolling, you are oversensitive. This theory about Singletary ‘motivating’ players into performing their best would make sense somewhat if there was a general feeling the 49ers players didn’t always put out 100% maximum effort. I wasn’t sure if that was the case, and that is why I asked.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 4, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions
There's an old saying in the NFL
that games are won during the week (in practice).
Vince Lombardi rode his team harder than they had ever been ridden before.
He wanted his players to be in better physical (and mental) condition than the opposition in the fourth quarter, when most games are won or lost.
It’s not so much a case of ‘players dogging it or quitting before.’ It’s more a case now Under Mike Singletary) where players might have slightly more to give than they had before.
by GeoMak on Jul 4, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ever felt 49ers players quit?
Yes.
There have been quite a few games over the past 3 or so years when the team just looked defeated and quit trying.
That said, I don’t think you’re trolling but your knowledge of the 49ers is vastly inferior to that of most people here so I can see why some people might spew cr@p at you.
by SportsChicken on Jul 5, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Good Question
There are two games from last season that i can’t forget because they were in back-to-back weeks. If the team didn’t quit then they are just extremely weak mentally.
Week 6 against the Eagles the Niners went into the 4th up 26-17 and lost 26-40, then the next week against the Giants, they made dumb errors in the 4th and lost 17-29.
I don’t think the team would have wanted to receive the thrashing that Singletary would lay down if he was the head coach.
T.O. Estes III
That was a close game and our defense shut down the Dolphins holding them scoreless in the 2nd half, but you can include this game too because the offense looked horrible.
T.O. Estes III
I will say this
Staley kept Porter in check all game long. The Dolphins wisely chose to line up Porter against Sims on the game’s final play (a Porter sack). The Miami defense played well that game, and aside from Mark Roman’s crap coverage, the Niners fought hard all the way.
We were in the game until the very end, and were out manuevered at the end.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 4, 2009 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought?
Vernon Davis was handling Porter pretty well….
And there was a miscommunication on the last play that led to the sack (I think someone else had to help Simms block Porter or something like that)
by SportsChicken on Jul 5, 2009 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Both Staley and VD
were effective against Porter, I do recall. I know nothing got by Staley in that game, or I don’t recall at least.
I do remember Porter lining up on Sims and breezing by for the sack, so I wouldn’t doubt if there was a miscommunication on someone’s part. Either way, miscommunication or not, we were forked. This is a perfect learning experience for that team though, as was the tough MNF loss.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 5, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions
It is a perfect learning experience...
But did they actually learn?
We shall soon see.
The philly game was a perfect experience too….
by SportsChicken on Jul 6, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions
yep
did they actually learn is the million dollar question.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 7, 2009 6:54 AM PDT up reply actions
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