Golden Nuggets: The building of a dynasty

I have heard talk about the whole win now theory because championship windows are hard to come by but I think Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are doing both. While spending high draft picks on a 32 year old Emmanuel Sanders could jeopardize the 49ers future to win now, he is helping the 49ers build a winning culture and I think that culture will carry over to younger players like Deebo Samuels.

Every dynasty needs to start with a dynamic duo of head coach and quarterback that can stabilize the team and carry over from year to year. I think Kyle and Jimmy Garoppolo are well on their way to doing that. Jimmy G has had some growing pains and so has Kyle but you can see the two of them and their connection getting better with every game.

The next part of a dynasty is the coaching staff. Coaches will come and go but the coaching philosophy must remain stable. I think the biggest difference on our defense between last year and this year is the coaching staff. Yes, the addition of Kocurek and Woods has to be given plenty of credit but I think the biggest difference is that last year the coaches were running Robert Saleh’s defense and this year it is “their” defense. The past couple of seasons it has seemed like the defensive position coaches were only trying to make Saleh’s defense work the best they could and really did not seem to have much input.

This year you can see Kris Kocurek, Joe Woods and Demeco Ryan’s input in the defensive game plan. It is more of a hybrid collaboration of what the coaches have brought to the table and their ability to best utilize our talent on the field and the change is paying off. I think something has been started here that will carry over even if we were to lose Robert Saleh to a head coaching job or Joe Woods to a defensive coordinator position. I think Saleh should get a lot of credit for having the self confidence to let this happen.

After the quarterback and head coach, it is very important to have a great defensive line. Signing both Deforest Buckner and Arik Armstead to long term contracts to play alongside Nick Bosa is critical if we are to turn this team into a dynasty. While I highly doubt either player will demand a contract that pushes the other player out of the door due to the team being left with an insufficient salary cap, I think it is critical that both players receive enough guaranteed money to not have to worry about their future.

We also need to extend George Kittle. Keeping a franchise player like George has to be a priority. Lynch and Shanahan have made some big strides toward turning the 49ers into a dynasty, let’s hope it works out that way.

Now onto the sizzling hot links:

Slew of injuries could put hurt on 49ers’ second-ranked defense Eric Branch

Emmanuel Sanders trade a big boost to 49ers’ passing game Michael David Smith

49ers’ Richard Sherman expects to return vs. Rams next week Eric Branch

Transcript: Robert Saleh discusses 49ers’ win over Saints, Kentavius Street, Nick Bosa, Kris Kocurek 49ers Webzone site staff

Why Kyle Juszczyk’s wife was upset with 49ers’ Matt Breida on Sunday Matt Maiocco

49ers on Thursday: Sherman insists injuries won’t determine playoff fate Cam Inman

Kyle Shanahan: Raheem Mostert’s “given us no choice” but to play him Josh Alper

Arik Armstead projected to cost 49ers nearly $18 million if franchised David Bonilla

Joe Staley not thinking retirement, knows 49ers can do something special David Bonilla

49ers’ Richard Sherman up for NFL’s Man of the Year Award Cam Inman

Clinton Portis, nine other ex-NFL players charged with health care fraud Josh Alper

Falcons expect to need multiple players to take George Kittle down Michael David Smith

How 49ers have changed, mostly for the better, in recent games Grant Cohn