On Dashon Goldson

by TheFreakSFG on Feb 9, 2012 5:21 PM PST

To keep it short and sweet, I love the play making ability, but his coverage skills for a FS are pretty lacking.

Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the 69th out of 86 safeties this season, mainly because of those coverage skills.

From Walter Football:

Of the safeties who have played 800-plus snaps this year, he's surrendered the eighth-highest completion percentage. He allowed four touchdowns this year (tied for fifth among safeties) despite the amazing front seven he has in front of him. He's tied for sixth in penalties among safeties this year. If he played behind a mediocre front seven, he would be exposed. Those who just look at stats and Pro Bowl voting might think Goldson is great, but he's just a backup at best.

I guess the team's judgement is all that matters, but these two bits of information are quite telling.

I just see so many traits of a SS in him. I guess he has value in the right scheme because of the play making ability and big hit ability, but at this point, I'd franchise him, rather than sign him to the long term deal, based on what's available.

Poll

What should the 49ers do with Goldson?

Franchise Tag

59 votes

Sign him long term

47 votes

Explore other options

40 votes

146 votes | Poll has closed

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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Comments

I said this a few years ago, didnt want him then dont want him now.

I am not an Alex hater, I'm an Alex apologist hater. Now you know. -Mr Moses

by rlott#42 on Feb 9, 2012 6:33 PM PST reply actions

I looked up the cost of franchise tag after I answered the poll – $4.49 mil. I did say explore other options, but I would say franchise him now. I liked the way he played in some games, at other times he didn’t look that impressive. He seems to be in the average range as far as skill, but he is aggressive and that works for him in the 49ers scheme with the players they have in the front 7. I think if he gets paid what he wants it will be too much for a long term deal.

by jobharve on Feb 9, 2012 6:34 PM PST reply actions

I read that the franchise tag for Goldson would be $6.2 million

by Mapletreemarty on Feb 10, 2012 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

That Walter football blurb about him makes me think he's not worth 6.2 mil.

I knew he wasn’t great in coverage or anything, but Walterfootball slams him. Makes me think he’s more replaceable than we think. For anyone interested:

There are a lot of posts about Dashon Goldson in the comment board below, so I’ll address this ranking. Goldson stinks in coverage. That’s why I initially put him at 1.5 stars, but you could argue two or 2.5 because of his ability against the run. Of the safeties who have played 800-plus snaps this year, he’s surrendered the eighth-highest completion percentage. He allowed four touchdowns this year (tied for fifth among safeties) despite the amazing front seven he has in front of him. He’s tied for sixth in penalties among safeties this year. If he played behind a mediocre front seven, he would be exposed. Those who just look at stats and Pro Bowl voting might think Goldson is great, but he’s just a backup at best.

by Odekerk on Feb 11, 2012 2:02 PM PST up reply actions

Oh lol, had a brain fart thinking FreakSFG didn't post it.

Silly me.

by Odekerk on Feb 11, 2012 2:03 PM PST up reply actions

You have to trace that back

Walter is quoting PFF, but PFF cautions that their grading for safeties and linebackers is inaccurate because they don’t attempt to break down the coverage and the blame by rule always goes to the guy closest to the receiver when the quarterback threw the ball.

Of course, they don’t put that disclaimer on their About→Grading page, but in a FAQ — and they certainly don’t link it on the pages where they are roasting players and guys like Walter definitely didn’t care to ask how PFF got those numbers.

Dashon isn’t Ed Reed. But when opposing offenses try to work the seam Goldson breaks on those routes with a vengeance. Sadly in the NFCCG that got Brown hurt on a freak play. Sadly earlier in the season Fitzgerald was determined not to go down when Dashon came trying to make a play for us — in a game where we desperately needed our defense to make a play — and we got burned — twice.

But to say he’s a backup only destroys any credibility Walter had left.

Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.

by Ougadas on Feb 11, 2012 2:58 PM PST up reply actions

I wouldn't say it destroys credibility.

People aren’t always right. Though I don’t read Walterfootball, so I can’t attest to how often he is right or wrong, or how good his analysis generally is.

by Odekerk on Feb 11, 2012 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

I have

It’s not the straw that finally broke the camel’s back — more like the one that finally covered the bleached bones. That site has been in a tailspin for the last couple years and he’s turning into more of a collator of ideas than a guy who does any analysis.

by Ougadas on Feb 11, 2012 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

I see. I definitely respect your opinion, so I'll try and not take

Walterfootball too seriously.

by Odekerk on Feb 11, 2012 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

I do have to give him credit... He's the first national site that has recognized Anthony Davis can't stop a speed rush and has said he needs to be replaced or kicked inside.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 14, 2012 12:27 AM PST up reply actions

He's better than most backups.

But he is a backup on about half the teams in the league. And Yah he’d get exposed hard without our front 7 causing guys like AJ Feeley and Skelton to throw ducks to him.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 14, 2012 12:26 AM PST up reply actions

I guess they dont take into account

BLOW UP FACTOR: of which he is a 100
ask the Alligatored armed Giant receivers

Forget Tebow
Andy Lee is the second coming of Jesus
-ME

by DAD OF VLAD on Feb 9, 2012 8:10 PM PST reply actions

No doubt. He had the entire NFL WRs thinking about him over te middle, and on screen passes to the flats

Goldson is top 10 in my opinion. Caros Rodgers has been beat more than him handsdown

by STELF BOMBZ on Feb 10, 2012 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

If he's top 10, it's more indicative of the bad safetly play

in today’s NFL.

by Odekerk on Feb 11, 2012 2:04 PM PST up reply actions

Or the weak collection of quarterbacks he has faced.

Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?

by rlott#42 on Feb 13, 2012 10:25 PM PST up reply actions

I posted this yesterday in a post and nobody said anything lol

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

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Feb 9, 2012 9:59 PM PST reply actions

Pro Football Focus

Also cautions that they don’t try to know anything about scheme or responsibilities and as such the closest guy to the receiver when the ball is thrown catches the blame.

by Ougadas on Feb 10, 2012 11:02 AM PST reply actions

But Walter wouldn't know that

Because like most people he’s not interested in how they came to their conclusions only that he didn’t actually have to watch a couple 49er games so he could make a one sentence summary of a players worth.

by Ougadas on Feb 10, 2012 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

I was a bit skeptical

But from watching a TV broadcast every week where you seldom see the safeties, I wasn’t shocked.

I already knew his coverage skills were somewhat lacking, but I didn’t believe it was to this extent. Either way, I’d franchise tag him at this point.

by TheFreakSFG on Feb 10, 2012 3:24 PM PST up reply actions

Franchising is definitely the safe option.

Another year in this defense will give our coaches a lot more knowledge about him as a player to see whether he’s worth a longer deal.

by Odekerk on Feb 11, 2012 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

WOW .....

I would be pissed if goldson leaves. Sign the man he proved himself and recievers fear him. Cant really be comfortable catching passes while your worrying about getting hit by a freight train.

by ninerpride on Feb 11, 2012 5:55 PM PST via mobile reply actions

6 interceptions and a forced fumble anther interception in the playoffs.

Were never mentioned? If you’re going to roast a guy for giving up 4 touchdowns in 16 games, at least mention the 6 interceptions. Since 6 interceptions is more than 4 touchdowns, I’ll let him off the hook.

That article in Walter Football mentioned his value against the run at least, and you didn’t even have the decency to add that in your post. I can’t give credibility to either you ar Walter Football.

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that."
--Jerry Rice

by Pat Willie on Feb 11, 2012 6:02 PM PST reply actions

Yup , agreed ...

… I can’t give credibility to either you ar Walter Football…

… I mean dang didja watch the games …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Feb 11, 2012 6:25 PM PST up reply actions

He does what he is supposed to do...

1) he strikes fear into the opposing Wide Recievers
2) he makes tackles when he is supposed to
3) he makes plays (interceptions and forced fumbles)
4) he can shake them dreads!

Every player benefits from scheme and the players ahead of them. Since we aren’t going to get Ed Reed or Polamalu, I am fine with Goldson.

by SH0ck-D on Feb 11, 2012 6:30 PM PST reply actions

He's not supposed to get burned in coverage.

Which both of our safeties are apt to do.

They could both be a lot worse though (Whitner was definitely an upgrade over what we had there last year), and I look forward to them hopefully improving next season.

by Odekerk on Feb 12, 2012 1:59 PM PST up reply actions