2014 offseason thread

[Pattersonca65]

LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco believes 2012 second-round pick LaMichael James "certainly does not appear to be a good fit with the 49ers."

Maiocco cites James' misfit for San Francisco's power running scheme, and notes that the Niners believe James lacks "the kind of blazing speed to succeed as solely an outside runner." On Friday, James tweeted, "I'd rather they just let me go," which he later confirmed was in reference to the 49ers. We're not sure James would fit any offensive scheme, quite frankly. He lacks lateral agility and runs with no power. He's a return specialist at best in the NFL.
Source: CSN Bay Area

Jan 31 - 4:56 PM

Bad pick. Was a bad draft. Balke cant choke like this again.

 

[dredinis21]

My fear is Baalke having another draft like 2012. That was a draft where we could have gone organizational depth and we went fire and lightning instead. As good as I believe last season's draft to be, that was how bad I think the 2012 draft was.

 

[badazzk9]

I didn't see this posted and didn't even know this was possible...

"If the 49ers and Kaepernick can't get to an agreeable number, the 49ers have the leverage of knowing that they have Kaepernick at a very cheap price in 2014, and if there's no extension, they can franchise-tag him for 2015 and 2016 and then can hold him even in 2017 because there are special provisions for QBs."

Kawakami: Colin Kaepernick taking smart approach to contract talks - San Jose Mercury News

 

[Ray_Dogg]

I didn't see this posted and didn't even know this was possible...

"If the 49ers and Kaepernick can't get to an agreeable number, the 49ers have the leverage of knowing that they have Kaepernick at a very cheap price in 2014, and if there's no extension, they can franchise-tag him for 2015 and 2016 and then can hold him even in 2017 because there are special provisions for QBs."

Kawakami: Colin Kaepernick taking smart approach to contract talks - San Jose Mercury News

a player tagged a second straight year would have his number set at 120 percent of the previous figure. A third straight year? That's where things change, and the percentage goes up to 144.

 

[h0ckeysk83r]

I didn't see this posted and didn't even know this was possible...

"If the 49ers and Kaepernick can't get to an agreeable number, the 49ers have the leverage of knowing that they have Kaepernick at a very cheap price in 2014, and if there's no extension, they can franchise-tag him for 2015 and 2016 and then can hold him even in 2017 because there are special provisions for QBs."

Kawakami: Colin Kaepernick taking smart approach to contract talks - San Jose Mercury News

Also a little curious as to how the Seahawks are going to handle Wilson's contract. Basically in the same boat as us however Wilson has that ring. Kaep has stated he would like a balanced deal, I see Wilson as the same. Maybe even one who would take less than normal judging his personality.

 

[FourBeeDen]

I was just thinking... If Lattimore regains his form and becomes the starter, would that make Miller expendable? I was just watching highlights of Lattimore, and notice that he normally runs without a FB, so I was wondering if the Niners will move away from the 2 backs set with Lattimore in the backfield

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Greg Roman, vastly overrated by the media IMO. He was the running game guru at Stanford. Kawakami spills the beans and I feel much better about my opinion. I really wanted Roman to get a gig so a guy like Harbs could run the offense and actually have a creative more advanced passing attack.

49ers points of emphasis going into 2014: Harbaugh?s offensive gameplan, Kaepernick?s deal and all things point to Seattle | Talking Points

"1. Harbaugh probably will have even more input with the 49ers offense, which could mean amping up the passing game.

I’ve heard that Harbaugh took over additional parts of the 49ers offense towards the end of this season, especially on pass calls.

One NFL source noted that if offensive coordinator Greg Roman had landed a head-coaching job, Harbaugh planned to take over almost all the play-calling responsibilities.

Roman ended up staying with the 49ers, but I think some of the 49ers’ offensive struggles in 2013 have Harbaugh thinking about pushing the envelope a little more.

Practical point: The 49ers probably aren’t going to beat Seattle strictly by running it; Kaepernick needs more options in the pass game and it sounds like Harbaugh is determined to open up the playbook to see what the QB can do.

That also means Baalke probably has to figure out how to re-sign Anquan Boldin and add a new slot receiver to re-energize that pass attack."

 

[sjballer03]

I was just thinking... If Lattimore regains his form and becomes the starter, would that make Miller expendable? I was just watching highlights of Lattimore, and notice that he normally runs without a FB, so I was wondering if the Niners will move away from the 2 backs set with Lattimore in the backfield

Judging by the article that Ray just posted, it would seem that in order for Harbaugh to open up the play book we should see less 21/22 personnel groupings. But Miller brings a lot to the table. I don't quite see them getting rid of him just yet.

 

[tomikcon1971]

Miller was our third leading receiver when our WRs were out early in the season. I don't think we should dump him. Hell, switch him back over to D and kick the tires at least.

 

[CalamityX11]

I was just thinking... If Lattimore regains his form and becomes the starter, would that make Miller expendable? I was just watching highlights of Lattimore, and notice that he normally runs without a FB, so I was wondering if the Niners will move away from the 2 backs set with Lattimore in the backfield

Lattimore will need Miller....

I hope Lattimore can become half the the pass protector Gore is...... then more so lol

 

[Dodub]

I was just thinking... If Lattimore regains his form and becomes the starter, would that make Miller expendable? I was just watching highlights of Lattimore, and notice that he normally runs without a FB, so I was wondering if the Niners will move away from the 2 backs set with Lattimore in the backfield

HEEEELLLLLLLL NOOOOO it doesn't make Miller expendable. A RB's best friends are his OL and his FB, the fact that Lattimore did so well with a lead blocker means that he will just that much better with one in front of him. It does mean that he needs to be a more patient runner but I'm hoping that he learned some of that from watching Gore this year.

 

[JMedlock5186]

How do you feel about bringing in a guy like Samuel if its not too expensive

Falcons dump Asante Samuel, Stephen Nicholas | ProFootballTalk

 

[Crimsoncrew]

Yeah, I can't see us dropping Miller. He's a great blocking FB, a surprisingly effective receiver, and a very good STs player. We might use him a little less, but he's still got a spot on this team. Likely a prominent one.

 

[numone9er]

Yeah, I can't see us dropping Miller. He's a great blocking FB, a surprisingly effective receiver, and a very good STs player. We might use him a little less, but he's still got a spot on this team. Likely a prominent one.

Plus FB's usually don't require big money. He's probably the best FB we have had since Floyd.

 

[FourBeeDen]

Plus FB's usually don't require big money. He's probably the best FB we have had since Floyd.

I would not say that yet about Miller... Moran Norris was pretty good as well

 

[Dodub]

Plus FB's usually don't require big money. He's probably the best FB we have had since Floyd.

As a blocking FB, he's better than Floyd. Floyd was a much better runner and more flashy but I would rather have Miller in front of me as the lead blocker.

 

[Dodub]

I would not say that yet about Miller... Moran Norris was pretty good as well

Norris might be SLIGHTLY better as a lead blocker and I mean SLIGHTLY, but Miller is a much better all around FB.

I was a huge Norris fan btw.

 

[whysies]

I was a huge Norris fan btw.

Gee, I wonder why...

 

[Dodub]

Gee, I wonder why...

Rock Chalk!

not only that but he was an absolute hammer head as a blocker, being a former RB, I love running behind guys like that.

 

[whysies]

Rock Chalk!

not only that but he was an absolute hammer head as a blocker, being a former RB, I love running behind guys like that.

Yeah, I liked him a lot. Loved Beasley as well. Miller has been pretty badass from day one.

Damn, we have had a lot of good fullbacks! Ditto inside linebackers. I wish we could take a little bit of our success with those positions and transfer it over to WR.