Beware of the Backdraft
by T.O.E. on Jul 6, 2009 4:27 PM PDT
Email
PrintDuring the time surrounding the NFL Draft, there is a level of optimism and anticipation that elevates the NFL’s draft over the drafts for other sports. Fans from all 32 teams have had time to digest what their team had done the previous season and find reasons to get excited for the upcoming year. We tune into the draft coverage awaiting to either agree or dispute whatever Mel Kiper say about our favorite players or teams. Sometimes, Kiper will convince us that our team’s later-round picks will become stars, increasing our optimism to the point that we’re ready to buy Super Bowl tickets and put in our leave slip for the end of January and first week in February. Most of the time, fans don’t even pay attention to who their team draft after the third-round, until they make a play in game that helps the team win. Well, training camp hasn’t started, but the Niners late-round picks have my attention already.
Rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree and running back Glen Coffee will receive the most attention heading into camp and deservingly so, but the later-round picks will serve in roles that may have bigger impacts during the season. Five of the Niners’ seven selections were drafted in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds and they might prove to be what the Niners need to make it back to the playoffs.
Arguably, the 49ers’ biggest strength is their group of linebackers led by Pro Bowler Patrick Willis and that group was upgraded this April. The 2008 Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Pittsburgh’s Scott McKillop, was drafted 146th overall in the fifth round by the Niners. Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes are the returning starters, but you can expect to see McKillop in the rotation, especially when the Niners are looking to stuff the run.
With head coach Mike Singletary looking to turn the 49ers into a smashmouth running team, the Niners drafted a north-south runner, Glen Coffee, in the third-round and a tight end that can block like a lineman, Bear Pascoe, 184th overall in the sixth round. Pascoe, rookie from Fresno State, not only blocks, but was key in the Bulldogs passing attack leading to his back-to-back All-WAC honors. Pascoe will also free up fellow tight end Vernon Davis to get vertical and put pressure on opposing teams’ defenses when the Niners play in two tight end sets. Pascoe might prove to be the Niners best pick.
The Niners used both of their seventh round picks to select former LSU standouts safety Curtis Taylor, 219th overall, and defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois, 244th overall. I can’t say for certain that either player will receive sufficient playing time, but if they do they can make an impact. Neither player will impress you with their combine workouts, but their game tape will. The one thing that both of these players possess is football intelligence, especially safety Curtis Taylor. Taylor doesn’t cause havoc, but is always in the right place to make the play, and then make it, which is important because safeties should never be caught out of position. Ricky Jean-Francois was inconsistent at LSU, but when he’s good, he’s great. Jean-Francois was the Defensive MVP of the 2008 BCS Championship Game and if he was a consistent player, then he would have gotten drafted on the first day.
Quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are in a battle for the starting spot and the loser will be rewarded with the second spot on the depth chart. Veteran Damon Huard will most likely be third, but this leaves no room for their 171st overall pick Nate Davis. No problem. Nate Davis is not ready to be a starter, but can eventually become a player like Jeff Garcia, only better. Davis needs roughly two seasons to sit, learn better mechanics, and to understand NFL style defenses. He may not play a game in the 49ers uniform, but if he plays at the right time, then he can be a starter for a many years.
With the exclusion of Michael Crabtree, none of the 49ers’ draft picks wowed the scouts with their workouts, even though Crabtree missed workouts due to a toe injury. The Niners were consistent with their picks drafting smart players that fit a role on the team. If they put in the necessary work to get better, then the 49ers are on their way to reclaim their spot on top of the NFL.
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.
72 comments
|
5 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I enjoy your fanposts
even if I don’t necessarily agree with them. These are very well written, props.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
Are you a Seahawk Fan Fearless Frog?
by Real Deal P Will on Jul 6, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
(site decorum) fearless frog
At least in the spirit of fanship!!
lol
by Real Deal P Will on Jul 7, 2009 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I love you too.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 8, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Nate Davis
See I think Nate Davis will prove to be an excellent pick… but what do I know, nothing. Like your fanposts as well.
I don’t think he has to prove to be an excellent pick, even. I think he was an excellent pick. Using a late round pick to grab a guy with upside who was scouted much higher at one point, but who won’t stop you from again improving the position in the future… it sounds good to me.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I like the Nate Davis pick too
If your 5th rounder comes in and makes the team, you’re a big winner. If your 5th rounder makes the practice squad, you’re still a winner. Davis might get squadded, but that might be the best thing for him; he can only benefit from a little more time to become familiar with what it means to be a professional, and with the offensive scheme (a genuine benefit now that the team isn’t going to lose its OC next year—by all accounts), and with the idea of taking more than 50% of his snaps from under center. Basically they’re doing with Davis what they should’ve done with Alex Smith—and they’re risking a lot less by picking him when they did.
Morgan breaks through in 2009!
Rec'd
A very good read, and a nice analysis indeed.
I think Damon Huard will be released before the season begins, leaving Smith and Hill as our two guys, with Nate Davis seriously hoping both guys don’t go down to injury. I agree he is at least a season or two away from learning the ropes. He could turn out to be the gem of the later rounds. And if he doesn’t pan out, no big deal.
I like Bear Pascoe because he really does add another dimension to our TE corps. Billy Bajema was a strictly blocking TE, and Pascoe was drafted as replacement. However, Pascoe definitely could show signs of receiving ability, especially in the red zone.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
Damon we hardly knew ye
I agree that Huard is the odd man out & won’t be on the 53-man roster, and I’d rather not risk Davis making it to the PS.
If Hill or Smith go down with an injury, they can always go out & re-sign Huard. I doubt a lot of teams will be lining up for his services.
You show me a man with a sense of pride, and I'l show you a guy with limited options.
Yes, I agree
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 8, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Great Post
Great points on the TE’s I think with Pascoe, though still unproven, we have the best TE Corp, and yes in the entire league!!
by Real Deal P Will on Jul 6, 2009 7:59 PM PDT reply actions
Side discussion
Moran Norris – Last year, was apart of the Li0wins organization. At 1 point even being cut loose by the team when Kitna got injured, to replace him with Drew Henson. Yes was the least valuable player on a team that failed to win a game(at 1 point in the season) before being re-signed again. He’s also now in his 30s.. Did a wonderful job blocking for Gore in 06’ but Why do people think this is 2006? There is no Norv Turner is gone, Jimmy Raye was a split decision. Jimmy Raye’s no offensive genius as Turner has proven to be. He’s been a coordinating/position coach journeyman. My Rice! our team’s offense lies in the hands of Vernon Davis, according to all this talk about Raye making Gonzo the success he was. This optimism is disgusting.
Moran Norris
I think can still be fine. Fullbacks can play for a long time and still be effective (Lorenzo Neal 38, Tony Richardson 37). Norris is 31 so he can easily be good-great for at least 3 years.
Go 49ers
There's one little flaw in this theory
It’s that Norris has not been effective since 06’ which probably means he’s a declining/declined player already.
He played for the Lions.
How effective can a blocking fullback be in Detroit?
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
Still, he was on the 49ers in 2007
yet was deemed ineffective(though everyone was with Hostler), hence why the 49ers didn’t re-sign him when his contract was up.
Norris was outplayed by a rookie 5th round pick by the name of Jerome Felton.
Martz offense
Norris struggled in 2007, but at the same time, I don’t think Martz saw him fitting into his offense last year.
by David Fucillo on Jul 7, 2009 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Speaking of Fullbacks
49ers Claim FB Brit Miller
July 07, 2009
The San Francisco 49ers announced on Tuesday that they have claimed FB Brit Miller off waivers from the Carolina Panthers.
Miller (6-0, 243) was originally signed as a rookie free agent earlier this year by Carolina out of the University of Illinois. As a senior, he lined up at middle linebacker and earned second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors after ranking third nationally with 132 tackles in addition to posting six sacks, three fumble recoveries and eight passes defensed. Miller played in 13 games (12 starts) as a junior, totaling 62 tackles, one sack and five passes defensed. In 2006, he appeared in 12 games (10 starts) and recorded 43 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble. Miller started the final four games of the season at linebacker as a freshman, registering 46 tackles, one sack and one pass defensed. Miller is a native of Decatur, Illinois.
fullback
I know he did. I’m just saying Martz wasn’t looking for a traditional bruising fullback (Norris). Keasey was not that kind of fullback.
by David Fucillo on Jul 7, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
No he didn't.
Keasy was a younger, cheaper option at a position that Martz considered expendable (and oftentimes useless). He was also a special teams contributor.
Norris being “ineffective” had nothing to do with his release.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
Then why was he released during final cuts? According to you, Martz and Nolan wrote Norris off much earlier in an effort to save some coin.
Fullbacks may not have too much of a role in a Martz offense, but when it comes to the goaline, I believe that Martz prefers the more effective FB even if it does cost the organization a couple more thousand.
none of us know
It’s entirely possible Nolan wanted to hold onto him but Martz finally convinced him otherwise. Either way, we don’t really know.
by David Fucillo on Jul 8, 2009 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions
To save coin? It doesn’t cost any more to let him go the day before final cuts than it does to do so a month before. Even if it did, it’s beneficial to have a crafty veteran stay in camp to work alongside your kid who has never cracked a pro roster before.
Also, did you WATCH the 2008 season at all? Martz was terrible in goal line situations largely because he had no interest in a blocking fullback. He ran spread formations and Shotgun sets at the 2 yardline. Aside from a few 4WR set draw plays, he seemed to only run the ball as a way of saying, “See? That’s why I don’t do this stuff.”
Mike Martz does not know how to operate traditional I-formation or 3TE goal line sets. An “oldschool” fullback is something that he has never had any interest in.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
To save coin? It doesn’t cost any more to let him go the day before final cuts than it does to do so a month before.
That’s what I’m saying. Martz and Nolan decided to release Norris when final cuts were made, but you’re saying that Norris had no chance to make the team because they were looking to save cap room the entire time since FBs are “useless” in Martz’s offense.
Dude o.o
You’re not really listening.
Norris was cut at the very last second, but his fate was decided well before that.
Why? He was making more than league average starter money to play a position that is almost never used in Martz’s offense. He is was a runblocking specialist in a pass-happy system.
How then, did he last until final cuts? He was kept in camp because there is really no disadvantage to keeping a quality veteran in camp to work out alongside a kid who has never played more than a couple NFL snaps before.
The fact that Norris was one of the last names to be released is not mutually exclusive to the fact that he was cut to save money. If you can see the logic here, then see that my only point to begin with was that Norris was not “beat out” for the roster spot by Keasy, as you believe. Rather, he was a casualty of the system change.
The only reason any of this was brought up was because you had made an insinuation that Norris’ talent had declined sharply, as was apparently brought to attention by his release in favor of Keasy – a fullback who never really had much talent or promise. This, in my opinion, is a misinformed point of view.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
by shlecko on Jul 9, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
you’re saying that Norris had no chance to make the team because they were looking to save cap room the entire time since FBs are "useless" in Martz’s offense.
=
You’re not really listening.
Norris was cut at the very last second, but his fate was decided well before that.
I see what you’re writing here, but I disagree. Norris has been in a downward spiral ever since the beginning of the 2007 season. Now if Norris was playing like he did in 06’, sealing blocks on LBs, then I doubt that Norris still gets released. Even with Martz as OC, who uses the FB in one/third of his plays, if Norris was the obvious choice then he would have still been kept on the roster.
blockquote fail
You’re not really listening. Norris was cut at the very last second, but his fate was decided well before that.
fixed
.....
I’m anxious to see how Shlecko replies to you.
You don’t seem to understand anything he’s trying to tell you.
by SportsChicken on Jul 10, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions
It's not that I dont understand
I just believe my theory on the situation is more likely to have happened. That always leaves the chance that shlecko could be right, as Fooch said “we don’t really know.”
Chikmagnet I’m still anxious to see why you believe the Broncos running game was effective last year.
It was.
The Broncos averaged a whopping 4.8 YPC last season despite a round-robin of runningbacks. Most of these backs seemed to average 100 yards a game, too. Just because there wasn’t any one rusher amongst the league leaders doesn’t mean the Broncos didn’t have a deadly effective running game.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 12, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
We went through this before
you said the exact same thing.
Lets not even pretend Mike Shanahan wouldn’t run the ball more if it was truly effective.
True, but then again,
Denver’s defense was an absolute joke. Like, literally, I laughed when I watched those 11 try to stop opposing offenses. They couldn’t stop the Oklahoma Sooners if they tried. They fell behind early and often last season, and despite the running game’s success, they very quickly had to revert into Cutler-flinging-deep as their offensive strategy. Their running game was 7th in power rushing attempts (goalline/shortyardage) so they were pretty strong in that area. It’s because their line is almost godly and the scheme is perfect to match their skills.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 13, 2009 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Even when the Broncos were ahead
the run game was not something the team could rely on.
4.8 ypc. Inflated stat. Credit to there OL but still, if I’m creating a gameplan for a team that throws ~ 30 times a game and runs ~ 15 times a game.. I’m not going to put anymore than 7 players in the box.
Shanahan would be a fool to think he could not rely on 4.8 ypc, instead of taking risks downfield.
So your claim, then, is that the Broncos running game was in fact effective, but for the sole reason that it was underutilized?
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
Well, yeah.
I’m just spitballing here because I didn’t watch Denver in depth, but even if they had Adrian Peterson I would assume they would attempt far more passes since they were behind a lot, even if the running game had a lot of success.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 14, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Meh, I don't know, I actually hope you're right
and their rushing attack, along with the rest of their team, sucks. Seattle has their first round pick so I’m hoping they lose about 10 games.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 14, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Fortunately, the 49ers have Carolina's first round pick.
A team likely to be no worse than 9-7
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 14, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
i disagree
Carolina had a tendency to poop the bed after a successful season.
Also, 9-7 is a better draft pick (pontentially) than it has been in previous years.
Either way, I think Carolina will stand to compete in 2009, so yeah, the 49ers shouldn’t expect a great pick in return.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 14, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Denver is going to suck
I’ve got mutliple wagers with a friend, who’s a big time Denver fan, all based on how much Denver is going to suck. Their defense was poor last year and isn’t going to be any better than with Nolan transitioning it to a 3-4. My Dever Bronco’s fan friend says after he looked at the schedule he’s got them down for 3 wins.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Jul 14, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions
and
two of those are probably against the raiders
by WeHaveCrabsAndVD on Jul 14, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
'WeHaveCrabsAndVD' is probably one of the best usernames I've ever seen on SBNation.
Well done.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 14, 2009 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks
My fantasy football team in 06 was ‘we got vd’. So, once crabtree fell to us at number 10, well, eveything just fell into place. Now I just gotta hope they dont trade them away or anything…
by WeHaveCrabsAndVD on Jul 14, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Richardson and Neal are the exceptions, not the rule.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 7, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Raye
Raye is just a figure head like the king and queen of england to me because Singletary is going to dictate what the offense does, like when he took over at the end of last season.
Raye is just another voice in practice and on the sidelines.
T.O. Estes III
Are you serious? Raye's a figurehead?
That makes no sense with anything I’ve heard. Singletary isn’t an X’s and O’s type coach—he’s more of a leader in terms of team identity and goals.
Raye has brought in his offensive playbook (which he seems to guard quite jealously). He’s brought in his own terminology. He’s brought in his own philosophy. Raye is more than just another voice. In fact, I think he’ll be able to speak in his own voice even more than Martz was able to last year because there’s a basic agreement about what the offense’s goal is on a given Sunday. Put another way, I think that Singletary will have MORE input into what the offense does rather than less because his philosophy lines up more with Singletary’s.
Morgan breaks through in 2009!
This
I agree that Singletary is going to be more of a leader HC than a controlling all the X’s and O’s type HC.
figurehead
Maybe people expect more from Johnson and Rathman? Something like Raye is more of the administrative guy? Not sure if that’s true or not, but certainly something floating out there.
by David Fucillo on Jul 7, 2009 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Raye
has had similar type roles in the past.
He has had the title of OC, but was more of a voice than a game caller. This was in Norv Turner’s system, where Norv was the playcalling HC, so it is a tad different.
I think Rathman will have a huge role in getting the running game established, but I believe that starts on the practice field. I think Raye will have quite the control play-calling wise. The system here is setting up continuaty (sp?). Raye won’t be wooed by other teams for a HC gig in the offseason. Rathman is committed to the franchise, and I think Johnson has something to prove with our QB situation. We should, and I know should doesn’t always work out, but we SHOULD see these same three guys for a while.
After all, everyone says what’s plagued the 49ers is their QB play and lack of consistency offesnively speaking, which can be blame on the ridiculous amount of co-ordinators we’ve had.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 8, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't see Singletary as an X's and O's guy,
Raye will call his designed plays, but he won’t have the free reign like most off coordinaters, until Singletary is confortable.
Figurehead was a strong name, but it was saying more about how controlling Singletary may be, even though I like him as a coach.
T.O. Estes III
"he won't have free reign like most off coordinators"
If Singletary isn’t an X’s and O’s type of guy why would he be controlling with the play calling. Doesn’t sound right to me, I think Raye will have the most freedom he’s ever had since KC. I expect good things not great.
by Real Deal P Will on Jul 8, 2009 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Not the plays,
but the type of plays call. In some situations i think he will feel inclined to call a particular play to keep singletary off his back.
T.O. Estes III
I agree, especially about the Raye/Gonzo thing.
Gonzales was great before Raye and great after him. If anything, it’s Tony Gonzales who’s making Raye look far better than he is as a coordinator.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 7, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
As an offensive coordinator for six teams over the course of 12 NFL seasons, Raye has been involved with some bad football. Those teams for which he was coordinator posted a won-lost record of 67-125 and averaged a little more than 18 points per game.
The spiked niner kool-aid googles is what’s “making Raye look far better than he is as a coordinator”
Not really sure how Raye’s resume can impress anyone.
Not really sure how Raye’s resume can impress anyone.
Seriously. While we do disagree a lot on things (primarily player/talent), I agree that thinking Raye is definitely going to help this team is quite the stretch.
It’s an interesting situation, sure. Raye seems to be saying all the right things, yep. Some seem to forget that Hostler and Martz both “said the right things” before each of the past two seasons, much like Nolan said all the right things when he first took over. It’s all about how that’ll translate to the field, and judging solely on Raye’s history (what little there is of it) as an offensive coordinator, it’s hard to be optimistic. I am definitely curious, though.
Yeah, pretty much.
The only way I can see him ‘succeed’ (maintain a capable ball-control offense centered on Frank Gore) is if his chemistry with Singletary is beneficial, seeing as both are on the same page when it comes to approach. However, his actual football strategy may be questionable, and the preseason will hopefully reveal some clues.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 7, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions
If you can't measure a QB by wins and losses you can't measure an OC by it either
As for the 18 pts per game, well his best QB was Elvis Grbac, he’s never had a talented RB, while he was OC ( except Dickerson). The combination of Gore, Hill, and Davis is superior to any offense he has coached ( talent wise). yeah I know if this is the best offense he’s had he’s had some $hitty teams.
by Real Deal P Will on Jul 8, 2009 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions
"well his best QB was Elvis Grbac"
Yes, but he is he really getting an upgrade in this department with San Francisco? And he was there with Kansas with Gonzo and I believe when their line was godly.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 8, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
And you're correct that you can't measure an OC by wins and losses,
but the points per game is pretty telling. Even Greg Knapp, who isn’t liked around these parts and isn’t considered an especially great coordinator because of his mildly vanilla-style playcalling, at least has somewhat of a reputation of a consistently productive offense.
2001 506 (pass) 509 (run) 49.8 percent pass (4th ranked offense in NFL)
2002 571 (pass) 489 (run) 53.8 percent pass (8th ranked offense in NFL)
2003 511 (pass) 499 (run) 50.5 percent pass ( 5th ranked offense in NFL)
I don’t know where to find Jimmy Raye’s statistical information so if someone would please share that with me, I’d like to see it.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 8, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
But how do you measure points per game?
Some offenses are built strictly for ball control while others are built to produce a lot of points. Greg Knapp is pretty vanilla, he aims for the high point offense but delivers half the time.
This really puts things into perspective for me.
People keep wishfully comparing us to the Kansas City teams that Raye led…but Grbac, Gonzo and that line were all vastly superior to what we’ve got to work with.
…F#@k.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
"Gonzalez was great before Raye and after him"
Says what, may I ask? Look at Gonzo’s numbers from when Raye took over and when Raye left. Of course his natural talent has a lot to do with his success, but the OC had to put him in position to have his most successful season as a young TE.
http://www.nfl.com/players/tonygonzalez/profile?id=GON587645
I thought Raye became off coordinator in 98 and left after the 2000 season, and judging form his drop in numbers until Vermeil took over, I can’t agree Raye had NOTHING to do with it. T Gonzo’s numbers began dropping after Raye left as you can see on thee link. He re-emerged in 2004 when Vermeil came to KC.
by Real Deal P Will on Jul 8, 2009 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Grbac leaving
meaning now TG has a better QB to toss him the ball in Trent Green?
2001 marked the beginning of the Trent Green/Priest Holmes/Dick Vermeil era in KC.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 8, 2009 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Vermeil was in KC in 2001
and was there until the end of the 2005 season.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 8, 2009 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Those 'drop in numbers' were not that great.
His YPC and TD numbers were more or less similar, and in general those were still elite tight end numbers after Raye left. If he makes Vernon Davis look like he was worthy of being a top 10 pick, all the more power to him. But say he will simply because he coached a Hall of Fame tight end for a couple of years is illogical. If anything, you can discount that due to small sample size. Has any other tight end in a Raye offense posted great numbers besides Gonzalez?
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 8, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Tiquan Underwood, cut on Super Bowl eve, is a Patriot again
- Woman at Giants Super Bowl parade can’t wait to see Mark Sanchez (video)
- Bradying is sweeping the nation (for the next 48 hours or so)
- Knowshon Moreno charged with DUI; has a license plate that reads ‘SAUCED’
- Giants fan who won $50,000 on Super Bowl safety will donate winnings to charity
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
