49ers Offensive Line Not Pleased With Performance; In Other News, Sun Rose Today
by David Fucillo on Aug 30, 2011 8:00 AM PDT
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintIn not so surprising revelations, some of the 49ers offensive linemen chatted with the media on Monday and they were not happy with their performance on Saturday. Press Democrat writer Grant Cohn (a new addition this offseason) transcribed interviews with three different offensive linemen, including two probable starters:
Jonathan Goodwin transcript
Tony Wragge transcript
Joe Staley transcript
It's worth noting the Dallas Cowboys released five-time Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode. That's not to say the 49ers should make a play for him given that there are specific reasons he was cut. If you're looking for some discussion on why Gurode was cut, check out this article and this article.
As with most everything else about the 49ers, I'm hoping the offensive line can get things together in the coming weeks. While there are some questions with the talent, I also think the right system could provide some level of improvement. More importantly, I just don't think the line is nearly as bad as we saw against the Saints and Texans. I also don't think it's necessarily as good as we saw against the Raiders.
The question is where in between it falls. The other question is how long it will take to reach that point on a consistent basis. Such questions really apply across the board to the 49ers as they look to install the complete offense and defense. I think the team can remain competitive due in part to a weak division. However, they'll still need to execute at some level, even to beat some of the weaker teams on the schedule.
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My God Goodwin..OK?.. there was nothing OK about the lines performance last week
Q: What did you think of the offensive line’s performance on Saturday?
GOODWIN: It’s ok, but there’s always things you can clean up. I think every offensive lineman is still searching for that perfect game, but, you know, you can always improve, and you can never play well enough.
"You have to reinvent yourself each year, ... What helped us was that there was some turnover each year." Bill Walsh...
He hasnt been with the team long enough
To say they were terrible. Leave that for Staley
"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."
Norm Sloan
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."
Weldon Drew
by EcERyda69 on Aug 30, 2011 8:44 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Totally
He is new in town, knows that chemistry needs to be built, and that winning teams (like his super bowl one) need chemistry. It’s not that he isn’t aware that they sucked, simply that he knows it’s not his role to point it out.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 30, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I liked what Staley had to say
Dude just straight up owned their terrible performance. Respect for that, even if his play was awful.
Now, he needs to channel that anger and frustration into the dude in the opposite uniform during their next game, and take the rest of the 0-Line along for the ride.
Being an excellent offensive lineman is about technique, smarts, conditioning, lateral quickness, handwork, strength, and balance. But it is ALSO, to a large degree, about attitude. If they get that going, they will at least be more fun to watch, and probably a lot more effective.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 30, 2011 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions
If they didn't game plan for Houston
maybe Harbaugh is not so concerned about these “scrimmages”. Not trying to justify the bad play but that 4-0 record last year didn’t mean diddley squat. In fact, it probably gave them a false sense of competence that this team certainly won’t have.
how do you go into a game without a plan ?
that’s is like jumping into your car without knowing where you’going.
by LASVEGASNINER on Aug 30, 2011 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions
well, of course they are game planning for Seattle
the question is whether it’s a good plan to hold off practicing many aspects of their offense and defense in games, and holding off pre-game planning and half-time adjustments, for a single regular season game.
It probably won’t matter either way of course, they’re simply not a playoff team at this point.
by whistlingmountain on Aug 30, 2011 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Coaches don't game plan for "games" that are not games
Preseason is for backup talent evaluation…. and fan over-reaction.
They may not game plan for opponents but they do plan for the games. They still come up with scripts and they have an idea of what they want to run. It sounds (from what the players have said) it was like a pickup game, they just walked in and the coaches called plays, there was no preperation for what was going to be worked on.
I just hope our starters will have some chemistry and they will have enough game experience going in to week 1. A normal preseason usually sees starters playing most of the third game together so they get more comfortable playing together and playing at a real game speed which can’t be simulated in practices. I think Harbaugh has been using the games to evaluate the backups because he has had no time to do it otherwise. I hope that it doesn’t hurt the starters though.
Preseason is also to bring the 1st team up to speed
as well to evalualate the 2nd teamers. It’s obilvious the o-line isn’t ’ so maybe the game plan is to get the o-line in shape. So’ we’ll what type of game plan Harburgh has in mind. As far as over fan reaction, we’re into it heart and soul so the reaction is normal.
by LASVEGASNINER on Aug 30, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
its preseason week 3, coming on 4. Granted we all know things would be like this with the lockout. But this is bad. The starting line was out there for a while and they were getting beat by 4 man defensive lines. That is really bad. So the problem is one of these:
1. OL coach sucks. A lot of that is discipline and getting your lineman in sync with each other. Or else you will get false starts, mismatches, and uncovered defensive players charging through. Footwork making sure linemen are trained to get in the right stance or else they will just get shoved back
2. Personel talent. I saw a lot of instances of linemen just losing individual battles. Now some of that might be footwork, but untalented linemen for lack of a better term are just going to get rocked. That falls on the GM and I guess in part by the coaches in evaluating talent.
3. Adjusting to the system. A new system of offense. Learning curve whatever. Like said it might be due to the lockout. And having less time to practice. But its the job of the OL coach, the best he can, to get them acclimated to that even on the short time.
I am really hoping its number 3. Yah its not fair the 49ers have less time. But really thats not an excuse either. Is that the excuse you are going to be telling people when you lose to the Craphawks in week 1? or week 10? It needs to get address. Im all for talking crap on our QBs but our QBs weren’t the problem, at least not when they are getting hit 2 seconds after the snap and WRs are dropping balls.
I can't believe people keep referencing 4-0 last season like anyone who was realistic
took that to mean they’d go 12-4
The same people who thought they’d go 12-4 last year think they’re going to go 10-6 this year.
If you remember the first quarters last year, the offense was still pretty terrible. The blocking was pretty terrible. I think they scored 2 touchdowns in the 4 first quarters.
As far as game planning goes, it’s really no excuse when they’re going against a 3-4 defense. That’s what they practice against every day. All that game planning will change is that they might shade to specific players or blitzes that defense is strong at. Houston didn’t even do anything particularly special, the line just made horrible mistakes..
I’ll put it this way, what do you think of the Seattle offensive line? It’s a quick reality check as they two about the same right now.
by whistlingmountain on Aug 30, 2011 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Gurode was let go because he wouldnt restructure his contract?
Jerry must not want Romo healthy for a full season
"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."
Norm Sloan
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."
Weldon Drew
by EcERyda69 on Aug 30, 2011 8:54 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
and showed up overweight...
"You have to reinvent yourself each year, ... What helped us was that there was some turnover each year." Bill Walsh...
could still use him for depth…insurance…what-have-you
but the question would be @ what price?
by Doni S on Aug 30, 2011 10:54 AM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I’m not putting too much stock on the O Line performance based on the past three games. Football being a team game, an O line performs well when the line, QB and the offensive play-calling are on the same page. That happens when the offense knows the playbook well, and adjustments are made continuously during the game based on the game plan.
Installation of the Niners base offense was completed less that two weeks ago, I recall reading in one of the interviews. I don’t think the coaches are game planning any of the preseason games. No adjustments are being made during the game to relieve the pass rush pressure (no slants with 1-2 step quick throws, few crossing patterns, #1 RB not in the game, etc.). The mistakes of the O line are particularly glaring in these situations. I’m certain O Line play will improve once regular season gets underway,
OT: Anybody pick up a copy of Madden 12 yet
Kaep, Aldon, and Hunter are BEASTS in this game
"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."
Norm Sloan
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."
Weldon Drew
by EcERyda69 on Aug 30, 2011 9:51 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
4-12 but not a rebuilding year
I know most of you hate Lowell Cohn but he made a powerful point yesterday – the 49ers are not rebuilding, they are just poorly built.
They have a core of players, acquired mostly through the draft, but with the exceptions of Willis, Davis and Gore, they’re lousy players and won’t get us anywhere.
No QB, no decent corners, no decent safeties, no decent WRs, offensive linemen that act like matadors, a couple decent running backs (Let’s face it , Gore isn’t Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson), one great tight end, one great and a couple decent linebackers.
That’s it. That’s not a championship combination.
by 5e3deluxe on Aug 30, 2011 10:17 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I am starting to think
You and Cohn may be one in the same.
by Virginia9er on Aug 30, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Y'all just don't like Lowell...
…because you want your sports writers to be homers instead of looking at things objectively. You want them to make the same excuses for the past eight years you do. Especially for Alex.
Truth is, the only thing that matters is results. Everything else is a bunch of crap. The results to date suggest massive futility. They suggest ol’ Trent isn’t up to the task of his position. They had a shot at mike Lombardi and instead they went for Trent Baalke, and we wonder why the team personnel isn’t up to snuff.
Doni S: Iupati is a great run blocker. As a pass blocker he leaves a lot to be desired.
Virginia9er: It’s “one and the same.” Always happy to help.
Ougdas: Yeah, maybe in five or 10 years.
DartDart: I don’t see Gore lasting the season. He hasn’t the past two and he’s getting older.
by 5e3deluxe on Aug 30, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That was a complete subjective piece of trash.
Not even wiping my hind parts with if it was written on a piece of paper.
Learn the true definition of objective and then we’ll talk. K?
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
I was a real newspaperman for 25 years...
…so don’t give me your dilettante crap. You just like homers. Cohn is not a homer and for that he gets my respect.
Drew Kerr is a huge homer
He doesn’t think TD or INTs matter when evaluating Alex Smith’s performance. Not really worth discussing an objective evaluation criteria with him.
by asmithisaverage on Aug 30, 2011 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
"a real newspaperman for 25 years"
Now it is very clear what is wrong with your comments!
It has nothing to do with being a homer
He is evaluating things that haven’t happened. Essentially he is sharing his opinions on the future and claiming them as facts in the present. He is perfectly allowed to share his opinions, but I’m tired of him spouting his nonsense as indisputable.
If we enjoy only ‘homer’ writers, then Cohn is the exact antithesis…Not surprised you once again find a way to inject Alex into another conversation which has nothing to do with him.
Additionally, I am well aware the origin of the phrase is ‘one and the same.’ One in the same however has become a colloquialism based on phonetics and how it sounds to most people’s ears. While obviously developing from a mistake language is fluid and changes based on numerous factors. One in the same, while incorrect on a technical English level, is perfectly acceptable, but thanks for the condescension.
Wow
I believe you just grammar-pwned somebody.
I agree with you that Cohn goes to the opposite end of the biased home-team writers. But, to some extent, arguing about sports is inherently based on talking out of some of your body’s orifices other than your mouth.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 30, 2011 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Colloquialism doesn't make it correct usage...
and bending to current usage only confirms again, the dumbing down of the American educational system.
Most of you only enjoy “homer” writers. You want them to extol the virtues of the team, when in fact, the “virtues” of the team are few and far between as far as quality football is concerned. But you don’t want to read that, you want to read the 49ers have a chance at the playoffs, even if it’s an 8-8 team.
I hate to break it to you, but Cohn has been correct with regard to the 49ers for a long time. So have I. I will be again this year. All you folks who want “homer” writing will be sad again while those of us who are more skeptical will be proven correct again and y’all will come up with the same lame, stupid and useless excuses you have since 2005.
lottwasagangsta: the user of bad grammar can never own the user of good grammar.
Pwned.
by 5e3deluxe on Aug 30, 2011 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn't say it was the correct usage did I, not from a grammatical sense.
I said it was acceptable. I wasn’t passing judgement on whether it should be or not. In the effort of full transparency I intended to use the ‘and’, I didn’t in my haste. I wasn’t trying to create an excuse, just point out it wasn’t so black/white, most languages aren’t.
I think you’d find we probably agree more than we disagree on how the English language is currently defiled, but as I said language is fluid, most of the times it is really out of any one person’s control…
Improper usage is never acceptable
Sigh. America, dumbed down again.
Btw
I don’t want ‘homer’ writing. And simply because I don’t like Cohn, doesn’t automatically mean I hate any writing that criticizes the 49ers.
My problem with Cohn often has little to do with his content, some of it isn’t actually that bad, or at least, the idea behind some of it isn’t. It is the fact that he makes most of his pieces more about his ego than any relevant story. He makes sure to emphasize that he is the only one pointing out/seeing the things he talks about. He sensationalizes them to make his point, which I find despicable from a journalistic standpoint.
so where does Iupati rank on your list? Just average?
by Doni S on Aug 30, 2011 10:58 AM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Renovating...
Is a good way to put it. Put in a few support beams, work on the foundation without tearing the thing down, and see how a couple of the recent additions/bits of work hold up to the weather/season.
We look about 6-10 at the moment, with some good play possible come December. The question then becomes, where will we go from there? Because, as much as I like the team, I am basically able to guarantee that we don’t make any post-season noise this year.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 30, 2011 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Not championship
But not 4-12 either. I think McNabb, Kolb, Orton, could have taken the rest of this team to the playoffs. Receiving corps is there. Gore is on par with Peterson and Johnson, if you do better than tell the defense we run on first/second and pass on third. Gore could get 1,000 rushing and receiving with the WCO. Front seven is good against the run, just need better secondary to get more sacks from pass rush (or vice versa). And again, how many games did Sing/Raye lose for us? I’ll bet Harbaugh can call time-outs effectively.
Looking to put San Fran*six-o* here some time soon!
This statement is insane on so many levels
Gore is on par with Peterson and Johnson, if you do better than tell the defense we run on first/second and pass on third
Lowell doesn't have anything to base that opinion on (yet).
Great teams aren’t always comprised of great players, but they are always founded upon great systems. Plenty of average players on those 2000’s Patriot and Steelers’ teams, plenty of average players on those 80’s/90’s Niners’ teams. The difference was they had 53 guys moving in one direction, with one purpose.
We don’t know the team is poorly built yet, because we’ve yet to see the system fully installed. It isn’t even going to happen this year. You may catch a glimpse of what’s possible in the second half of the season, but it’s going to be difficult to truly judge this personnel until next offseason.
by juno106 on Aug 30, 2011 11:07 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
excellent point
I was trying to figure out how to word this and I think you hit the nail on the head.
by David Fucillo on Aug 30, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Patience rec
Great teams aren’t always comprised of great players, but they are always founded upon great systems.
Here’s to midseason … and beyond!
by OffensiveInterference on Aug 30, 2011 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
If we can't judget Harbaugh's system until the second half of the year
isn’t that suggestive we might see a terrible performance through the first 8 games? That’s almost like being a rebuilding team, you know, without the benefits of having extra future draft picks.
by asmithisaverage on Aug 30, 2011 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Fair enough
We have SO many new people, they need time to gel.
Two games ago, we looked SOLID. Saturday, we looked AWFUL.
My guess is that we won’t be great, but by mid-October, we will at least look mostly competent, if not especially competitive.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 30, 2011 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I think we should expect to be solid again other awful teams
Heck, don’t be surprised if we win Week 1 and 3. It will be how bad we are pummeled weeks 2 and 4 that matter.
by asmithisaverage on Aug 30, 2011 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I can see our season going the way of the Seahawks last year
Lots of inconsistent performances from game to game. Beating teams by 10+ points and than turn around and get beat by 20+ the next game.
"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."
Norm Sloan
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."
Weldon Drew
by EcERyda69 on Aug 30, 2011 1:39 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Well...
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative” -Oscar Wilde.
That said though, I would like my football team to be a bit more consistent than, say, literary greats.
On the other hand, the Seahawks made the playoffs (though they had no business there), and beat a REALLY good team.
Would prefer that our Niners earn it though. Sigh. Least the Giants won last October.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 30, 2011 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Remember
Remember the late start the 9ers got. The 3rd or 4th regular season game will be like the end of preseason. The teams that beat them have set lineups and coaches and therefore had a huge advantage. Also the 9ers may be having trouble stopping these teams. Again remember 3 of their 4 preseason games are against top offenses. This should prepare them well for the season.
PS: no one has mentioned how the schedule maker shafted them. 5 of their road games are in the eastern time zone and 3 of their last 4 games are against division opponents and all on the road.
No excuses
Please please, stop making excuses. I love the team as much as anyone but I’m not going to be Pollyanna about it. The team is terrible and will take many years (and probably a change in the front office) to be anything better; and PLEASE stop with the “oh, we might go 8-8 and get into the playoffs.” If that’s your goal, you’re setting your expectations far too low.
I say again, no excuses.
I Don't Buy It
You’re either taking the guy on (head-up, over-your-nose) or off (ala LB, CB or S. That has nothing to with easier blocks like angle (obliques), hook (against the flow), pull (sweep or trap), influence (non-block first step), etc blocking. But the progression of blocking has in it incorporated the sequencing of who you take first in pass blocking, either man-up or zone (area). the nose, second outside shoulder, inside game, and so forth, but there is nothing in the blocking schemes that ever told me that you don’t engage the rusher at the line-of-scrimmage and maintain intermittent contact with him as he comes at you. Pass blocking has nothing to do with lack of execution of due lack of aggressiveness, correct techniques, or just inexcusable lack of effort. The 49er OL has been and is a product of Solari. It is a reflection of his attitude and coaching style. I would sack him.
Let's argue about...
Whether the sun came up. I was in Daly City earlier today, and I certainly didn’t see it. Maybe it was Alex’s fault, or Solari’s, or our lack of game planning.
What about the rest of you guys? Did anyone actually SEE the sun rise? If so, where? Have you been to other nearby locations to confirm that it arose there too?
Bottom line: We are all frustrated, the team LOOKED terrible, and we are going to need to see how they bounce back next week, and play their first couple games before we really know anything. Until then, let’s try to be a bit more civil to each other, and not add to the misery sandwich most of us ate on Saturday.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
How about we wait until the regular season starts...
…before anyone starts savaging Harbaugh/York/Alex/etc.?
You know what their record is for the 2011-12 season? 0-0. Not 1-2.
You know how many sacks they’ve given up in that season? Zero.
How many interceptions has Alex Smith thrown in that season? None.
When is their next game that counts? Sept. 11, 2011, vs. Seattle.
This isn’t optimism – it’s FACT. Preseason doesn’t mean jack once the regular season starts. The reason I know this is that the Niners weren’t 10-10 last year, they were 6-10.
When that first sack, first pick, first loss happens, then by all means, open the floodgates and let the insults fly. Dream all you want about Andrew Luck. Demand that Larry Ellison and Steve Young and the ghost of Bill Walsh buy the Niners from the Yorks. Clamor for the hiring of the Patriots’ deputy special assistant janitor as our next GM, because he’s gotta be better than Baalke, right?
But until then, it’s all just a wild guess.
by NinerEd on Aug 30, 2011 2:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
It may be speculation
but it certainly isn’t a wild guess.
by asmithisaverage on Aug 30, 2011 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Goodwin to start I see....
GOODWIN TAKES OVER: Harbaugh confirmed veteran center Jonathan Goodwin has supplanted Adam Snyder atop the 49ers’ depth chart and will start Thursday’s game.
Left tackle Joe Staley, left guard Mike Iupati, Goodwin, right guard Chilo Rachal and right tackle Anthony Davis are slated to start. Snyder and backup tackle Alex Boone are the 49ers’ best seven linemen, Harbaugh said.
Read more: 49ers notes: Crabtree will sit out exhibition finale
Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area for more on this story
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
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