The Norris Conundrum

by Jesse Reed on Sep 3, 2011 9:09 PM PDT

Ok, so it seems like we are stuck with Moran Norris for at least one more season. Nasty, I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. The image that will forever be stuck in my mind's eye when I think about Norris is the semi-high pass from Alex last season where Norris couldn't, for the life of him, reach his hands over his shoulder pads to catch the sure touchdown. The next thing I think about is that, in my recollection, every time he touched the ball in the backfield on a fullback plunge he ended up staying in the backfield. The stats back this up, by the way, as his stat line from last season was 3 carries for exactly 0 yards. This stat includes a long run of 1 yard.

I know that I'm not the only one who can't figure out why the team has continually stuck with him, either. In fact, for the last two seasons, it would be a tough task to find many positive comments from anyone on this blog about him. Last season, we cut Britt Miller in favor of keeping the old truck. I couldn't understand why then, and I am still scratching my head about that one. Then, this season, we find a gem of an athlete in Bruce Miller (not related to Britt) who can lift his hands above his head as well as plant defenders firmly on their behinds and he can catch the ball to boot. Yet Norris remains. He has become like the pesky booger that you can feel deep inside the crevice of your nostril but can never get out because it has become a part of your nose.

The only thing that I can conclude from this is that we must all be missing something. It was easy to criticize keeping him last season because Singletary was such a primitive coach who thought that he could convince the team that they were superheroes and simply run over everyone whenever we wanted to. So, when the cuts came around again this season and I still saw the Booger stuck on the roster, I had to scratch my head and wonder.

We all trust Harbaugh, right? I mean, he turned ~~San Diego State~~ USD into a competitive team in relatively short order and we all know what kind of job he did to make Stanford a national contender. He has a penchant for making quarterbacks better when they are with him than they are without him. I know that not all of us here are as sold on Trent Baalke, but you have to give him some credit after the great job he did in this year's draft as well as surprising all of us with the moves in free agency. Aldon Smith is beginning to look like the next Julius Peppers type pass rusher, and NOBODY saw that pick coming.

So, what do they see in Norris that we don't?

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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Norris

Looked good against San Diego, lets be honest sing’s staff didnt have any clue how to use an offense and that includes a fullback, if they can use Norris more like they did in SD then I wouldnt mind seeing him out there. Ultimately Miller is the future at that position though and should get plenty of action this season.

Sidenote: I am pretty damn sure Norris has been working on his hands in the offseason. FB’s need to catch in a WCO offense

by TriPPinG on Sep 4, 2011 10:34 AM PDT reply actions

I hope you're right about him working on his hands

I did think he looked ok against SD, and he seemed to be a bit slimmer than I remember last season, too.

Come on, Alex, please be good this year...

by Jesse Reed on Sep 4, 2011 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Lousaka Polite

Was cut by the Dolphins. We should cut Norris and pick him up.

by ChesapeakeBay9er on Sep 4, 2011 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

Come on, Alex, please be good this year...

by Jesse Reed on Sep 4, 2011 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice booger imagery

Now I’ll be ‘picking’ Moran Norris more often

by FanBelge on Sep 4, 2011 2:57 PM PDT reply actions

I'm happy to be of service

Come on, Alex, please be good this year...

by Jesse Reed on Sep 4, 2011 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Apparently the Front Office Has a Fantasy

About converting a defensive player to fullback. They tried to convert linebacker Zak Keasey who ended up with 27 total yards with one fumble in two seasons. Dreams die hard so next they claimed rookie linebacker Brit Miller off waivers from Carolina and tried him at fullback but he didn’t make it and was released. Brit was picked up by the Rams but was injured. We all liked Brit when he was with the Niners but as one sports authority wrote; "As a seldom-used offensive option, Miller had no Fantasy value even when he was healthy."

Not being content with failure, this year the Niners took a totally different approach. Instead of picking up a cast off linebacker on the waver-wire, they went all in this season and in the 7th round drafted a defensive end to play fullback.

If nothing else the front office is consistent!

The truth is simple – The Niners are not going to turn over starting fullback duties to a rookie who has never played fullback in his life. In truth, Harb describes Miller as a utility player that may see action in a number of areas. Don’t worry though, if this new Miller doesn’t pan out we can always draft another defensive player to play fullback with the 7th round pick we got for Taylor Mays! Personally, I can’t wait start all over again.

Or to put it more succinctly, I think Moran Norris has a job for life.

by Ninerpoints on Sep 4, 2011 7:09 PM PDT reply actions

Holy crap, Zak Keasey.

I forget that dude ever existed.

Aaron Curry is the first Seahawk since Walter Jones to have a legitimate shot at Hall of Fame induction - John Morgan

by Fearless Frog on Sep 5, 2011 3:04 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

That was the guy with the dread-head right?

"The past is the past. The only time I look into the rear view is for the cops and I don't speed." -Shawn Andrews

by TryAndCatchVD on Sep 5, 2011 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Yup

He had probably the best dreads I’ve ever seen on a white man.

"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story." - Barney Stinson

by Haggardninja on Sep 6, 2011 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with most of what you are saying

The thing that baffles me, though, is that the front office could’ve easily purchased the services of Le’Ron McClain and cut Norris. There isn’t even a contest about which player is better, because McClain is just so much better than Norris. It’s not like they couldn’t afford him, as he was signed by K.C. for 1 yr/1.5 million. Our cap wouldn’t be threatened by this number, and he would’ve given our offense SO much more flexibility. Why? I am truly baffled…

Come on, Alex, please be good this year...

by Jesse Reed on Sep 5, 2011 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

this is full back not quarterback. britt miller is still in the league playing full back. full backs are not positions that normally put up huge stats. do not be surprised if bruce miller exceeds your expectations.

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Sep 5, 2011 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

It All Depends

On the offence and scheme. The Niners had a guy who became the first man ever to get a 1000 yards rushing and receiving and he did it at fullback in the West Coast Offense. My expectation is for the Niners to secure and field the best person available at each position and I honestly see them trying to do this at every position except fullback.

Beyond this rant (and others) I do hope you’re right and this Miller is able to block, catch and run with the football like Craig and Rathman did, but frankly, I have my doubts.

by Ninerpoints on Sep 6, 2011 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Craig was not a fullback

Rathman was the fullback.

Wonderful combination. If you were a linebacker playing us you had to know who you were trying to tackle. If you go low and it’s Craig he’ll step right through you. If you go high and it’s Rathman, banana mongoose oriole.

by Ougadas on Sep 7, 2011 3:19 AM PDT up reply actions

You may want to take a closer look

In 1984, the year Craig got the 1000/1000 Wendell Tyler played halfback. Roger Craig played fullback. After Tyler left the team, Craig lost 30 lbs and was moved to halfback and Rathman, the ‘other’ husker was brought into camp.

Walsh drafted a ‘real’ fullback.

by Ninerpoints on Sep 7, 2011 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

1985 -- My Bad

My error, it was the 1985 team. I believe Roger Craig played fullback for 3 years. But it was in 1985 that he got his 1000/1000.

I’m getting old.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1985_roster.htm

by Ninerpoints on Sep 7, 2011 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions

And he did it at fullback

Gee… I sure hope Miller is this good (sic).

by Ninerpoints on Sep 7, 2011 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Odd how a thing like that can vanish from memory.

You are right.

by Ougadas on Sep 8, 2011 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Frank Gore

The Tank has to be the sole reason behind Norris’ exitance on the roster. I’d hate to fathom the front office is keeping him around because of Franks breakout year under Norv Turners stint. Moran did indeed do a commendable job, however we had BIG Larry Allen opening the left side, and Frank was simple spectacular that year amassing nearly 1,700 yard rushing.
The Panthers had the same fantasy about their QB after a single Super Bowl appearance. Some may even argue the same concept rings true of Alex Smith. We are clinging on to hope from a vision. Alex has been given an insane amout of time to proove himself. I Guess being the number one overall grants you that type of merit. We all know who the number one overall in the 2005 draft really is though right. He played in a pro-style offense at Cal, and won a Super Bowl with the Packers…Curse of the Bambino relived…lol..Peace

by STELF BOMBZ on Sep 5, 2011 1:11 AM PDT reply actions

He was given time but not really a good opportunity. Sending him out to play QB in our offense the past few years with the coaching staff we had is like sending a soldier out to do battle with a pea shooter.

by Andrew9erfan on Sep 5, 2011 8:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Harbaugh turned San Diego State into a competitive team - Not

USD maybe. Brady Hoke turned the Aztecs around before going to Michigan.

No more excuses Alex ~ okay?

by riderless on Sep 5, 2011 9:53 AM PDT reply actions

Frank Gore and Moran Norris come as a package

Bruce Miller is still a rookie adjusting the the NFL and adjusting to learning a new position. He’ll get his game reps this season and develop over the year. Look for him to be starting fullback next year with the passing threat on the out route.

Did anybody notice Norris got some decent receiving yards against SD !?!?!

Why is our off-season more exciting than our regular season?!
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by Double eNN on Sep 6, 2011 12:31 PM PDT reply actions

boooo

In case you hadn’t noticed this is the Norris bashing thread. Go somewhere else if you wish to leave compliments
hahahaha jk

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Sep 7, 2011 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

lol

Norris got some decent receiving yards against SD

lmao. one reception for 4 yards, which for Norris equals 20% of his 2010 receiving yards, so in that sense he had like 3.2 games worth of production in just one preseason game.

by reedkrase on Sep 9, 2011 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions