Bobb Mckitrick

by mensa on Apr 7, 2010 11:17 AM PDT

did not need first round talent to build a solid offensive line. In fact I can only remember two they picked in the first anyway, that being Harris Barton, and Kwame Harris. Barton was a solid left tackle who was runner up rookie of the year,a great choice at #22, and I would give him an A-minus grade. The other was Kwame (turnstile) Harris, taken in the first round at #26, a bust by every measure of the word. He probably did lead the leage in allowing QB sacks, so I guess he was brilliant at something, but as a tackle he was as bad as they come. I would give him an F. So even with great coaching, the bust rate for our first round tackles has been 50%. (Those that go back further with the niners, correct me if I'm wrong, there may be others I don't remember) The problem I see is that many people on this site think that if we don't get a high first round tackle, that we have no hope of finding a quality player in later rounds,and that's just not the case. Arguably our best O line was in 1989 and 1990, so I'll reference off of 1989

Harris Barton round 1

Guy McIntyre 3rd

Bubba Paris 2nd

Jesse Sapolu 11th

Steve Wallace 4th

(ONE) first rounder ( Barton ), the rest are solid picks from later rounds. The point is, we don't necessarily have to pick (high profile, high round) , players from big name schools, to get great players. Good evaluation can find the gems in every round, from even the smallest schools. Our history says we can, AND WE HAVE FIVE LOMBARDI TROPHY'S TO PROVE IT! So don't jump off the Golden Gate if we don,t take a tackle with our #13 or #17 pick, chances are with good coaching, a lower round choice will be a better player anyway !

BPA

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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what about

Joe Staley? He was first round

by forty9ers3298 on Apr 7, 2010 11:31 AM PDT reply actions

Wasn't a McKittrick Pick

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Apr 7, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Loved Jesse at C or at Guard

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Apr 7, 2010 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

Loved Jesse too

Steve Wallace was also a favorite of John Madden,who always spoke well of him. Both were tough gritty players!

by mensa on Apr 7, 2010 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

steve wallace was awesome. loved that his helmet had a helmet

"All during film, I'm calling him Bam-Bam, like from 'The Flintstones,' because he hits everything. He is the truth" - Chad Ochocinco on Patrick Willis

by 49erLou on Apr 7, 2010 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree that we don't need to reach for a RT. I say wait til the 2nd.

by 9thevolution on Apr 7, 2010 11:44 AM PDT reply actions

Although I agree with your point...

we are no longer privileged to have Coach McKitrick scouting these players… or Bill Walsh. We are in a different era and we will see what Solari, Sing and GM less organization can do this year… I’m hoping for the best but this draft can truly make us or break us offensively.

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Apr 7, 2010 11:57 AM PDT reply actions

I'd like to see Solari and Ray Brown

really coach up everyone we have. I’d like to see us getting the most from our OL’s even the depth guys. What if Snyder could actually be coached up into a decent backup-level RT? What if Chilo turns a corner and becomes the big mean mauler we need and not a liability in pass protection? Maybe Boone makes a big leap this year and can provide depth at Tackle, allowing us to cut a guy like Snyder loose?

I hope we see a vast improvement on our OL no matter how they get it done.

"If I were to walk down a dark alley in a bad part of town, I'd want Ray Brown with me. And if I were to have a nice dinner at a fine restaurant, I'd want Ray Brown with me." The Late Great McKittrick

by Tre9er on Apr 7, 2010 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I can't see us getting any worse, so it's safe to say we'll be better.

by 9thevolution on Apr 7, 2010 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Solari and Brown

may not be Mckitrick, but I think they will bring a lot of the same coaching to the table with them. I hope so anyway!

by mensa on Apr 7, 2010 12:22 PM PDT reply actions

I'm in agreement

Some how there has to be a major improvement with the OL. Hopefully, they will be able to turn them around or we’re screwed again.

by LASVEGASNINER on Apr 7, 2010 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Solari was a favorite of McKittrick

Solari has also had a good track record since he left the 49ers. I believe he has already started his evaluation of what we have and what they are capable of and also since Sing wanted him here so much, I think that they will work together to get the right OTs and OGs in this draft. Could also get a sleeper or two.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 7, 2010 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Times have changed

Part of why McKitttrick was able to be a success drafting relatively low was because of the era.

The 49ers were playing the west coast offense, with it’s emphasis on trapping and cutting, in an era where most teams where still playing power-into-the-line followed by throw-deep. What we were looking for, when it came to offensive linemen, was quickness, smarts, versatility.

Other teams were looking for the ability to steamroll the defensive line. So the guys we wanted weren’t really in that much demand from other teams – they were viewed as too small, too weak. This allowed us to get value for our system in later rounds.

Now, however, it’s harder to find that kind of value because everybody wants quicker linemen.

by Ronaldinho on Apr 7, 2010 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

This

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Apr 7, 2010 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

Different world now, but I wouldn’t be too upset if we didn’t get a tackle in the first round if the premier guys are gone.

Member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010

by smileyman on Apr 7, 2010 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm okay with not getting tackle in the first round if we don't like our options -

But I’m not okay with going into the season without adding a quality tackle to our roster. I would prefer not to rely on a stopgap signing a la Marvel Smith (even assuming the guy we sign can actually play for a year or two).

by Ronaldinho on Apr 7, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Put the guy thru drills..

have Smith first then McDonald lining up in drill and see if he can stop them from touching the tackling dummy..if so then they’re our right tackle LOL

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Apr 7, 2010 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

It is harder than it used to be to find that rare player

that others miss, but its done in every draft by different teams. Often they are relatively
unknown players, and mostly from smaller schools,and I’ll tell you at least a few reasons why. Some players develop physically later than others, so they aren’t courted by the high profile USC’s, etc, They are very good high schoolers but don’t yet measure up to the standards of top schools. They end up playing at smaller schools that are under the radar, but they do grow up,and develop into formidable players anyway, just a little later. Another reason their found in smaller schools,by scouts with a good eye,is that they know that the coaching from many smaller schools isn’t as good as the bigger universities. So the player isn’t as far along in their developement as they should be. The talent is there, the body is there, they just haven’t been coached very well yet. My last reason (rant), is that many really good football players are in smaller schools because they don’t have the grades for a major college The scouts know that high grade point average and football intelligence don’t always go hand in hand ,so again very good football player ,at a smaller school. I do agree that its much harder to find those lower round gems than it used to be, because now every team is looking for them in the small schools. But certain teams just seem to be able to find them year in and year out, and in the lower rounds. It all depends on the caliber of the scouting department.

by mensa on Apr 7, 2010 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Well said.

"It came down like a punt, Coach!" - Josh Morgan

by shlecko on Apr 8, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I would have to say that stqaing put in this draft would be the worst decision.

We are going to have to reach for a player in my opinion. i would trade up for Berry or Okung if they are at a spot to use #13 and #49, then trade back in front of the Packers and take Saffold. I think after Okung and Bulaga that Saffold is the best tackle.

by Luther K on Apr 7, 2010 5:07 PM PDT reply actions