Golden Nuggets: Arik Armstead is our future

The news is a bit slow this time a year so I thought I would bring back some of my favorite articles. The first article is written by Niners Nations own Scott Geelan. He did a wonderful job of covering what a great season Arik Armstead really had in 2018. Between week four and Scott publishing his article on December 15th, Armstead had a PFF grade of 87.1. Sorry Arik Armstead critics but 87.1 is anything but average. He also points out that Armstead led the team in pass rush productivity. I strongly suggest people check out the link.

Arik Armstead’s underestimated development Scott Geelan

The next article was written about our new defensive line coach Kris Kocurek in September of 2011 by Philip Zaroo of mlive.com. I love this story for two reasons. First it does a wonderful job of conveying Kocurek’s intensity and how it transfers to his players and the second is his knowledge of the game.

Kris Kocurek, the man behind the curtain Phillip Zaroo

My third article is one that some of you might not be able to get. theathlete.com gave me a guest pass the first time I used the link but would not let me in without a subscription after that. I hope some of you can get in on a guest pass because it is a great story of how Kris Kocurek worked with an undrafted free agent named Kerry Hyder to help him get eight sacks in a single season. It might be important because I think we have players on our team other than Deforest Buckner that are much more talented than Hyder.

Kocurek, a reason for optimism theathletic.com

My final article goes way back to Bill Walsh’s draft room in April of 1986. It was written by Peter King in April of 1990 so I don’t know exactly how accurate it is but it is a pretty good story about Bill Walsh continuously trading down during the draft. Eddie DeBartolo even calls him at one point to ask if he is ever going to make a pick. The most amazing part is that it actually ends up being one of the most successful drafts in 49ers history.

The Genius At Work Peter King

I hope you enjoy the articles as much as I did. Have a great week and I will be back next month with many links of great articles from the combine. Now onto the hot links:

What Kyle Shanahan has said about bringing high-character players David Bonilla

How can 49ers TE George Kittle improve? Kyle Shanahan has a thought Eric Branch

George Kittle seeks to improve on record-setting season Charean Williams

Drafting the ugliest divorces in NFL history Mike Florio

The 49ers May Finally Acquire an Owens Replacement Levin T Black

Why Le’Veon Bell unlikely to be right fit for 49ers in NFL free agency Matt Maiocco

Big questions await the 49ers as NFL Combine approaches Chris Biderman

How 49ers should improve next season Grant Cohn

49ers path to draft’s top edge rusher becomes clearer Kyle Madson

Candlestick Chronicles: Antonio Brown update and analyzing the safety market Kyle Madson

Kaepernick and Nike unveil new black ‘Icon’ jersey James Brady