Are the Niners the worst team this season?

[DestroyYou]

I think Harbs had more say in the draft than people realize. He had input in the draft. Kaep, Jonathan Martin, and Eric Reid for starters were Harbaugh guys. As far as Sherman goes, a converted DB he made it to the 5th round so every other team passed on him more than once. Those guys often fail to make it in the NFL. Chip Kelly has also had input in this year's draft. While Baalke has ultimate control, he does allow the HC a say in some of the selections. I don't think Harbs left because of that. There were other issues going on with the FO and I from what Pozz wrote after it happened, he really wore on the FO. He tends to do that over time.

He wore on me as well. I, for one, was glad to see Harbaugh leave. And quite frankly, it looked like he had checked out mentally on SF about mid-season in 2014. His antics were just annoying.. whining to the officials nonstop, focusing more on gimmick plays over actually working on a red-zone offense..etc, etc. His time was up.

Now, was the goof ball they hired last year the right choice? Heck no! But lets be real, with as much turnover as this team had coming into the season no one would have been succesful. It was a miracle they won 5 games as it was!

I dont think Chip is the right hire either though.

 

[deep9er]

Harbaugh's track record of moving jobs every 5 years or so, is telling. He IS a good coach and drives his team very hard all the time. He also drives everyone in the organization very hard. This hard driving mentality works well for short term success, but isn't good for long term. Over time players wear down physically and mentally. The people in support roles wear down, which led to his issues with the FO.

i'm very glad we had success again beginning in 2011, but at the same time i understand why Harbaugh left. I also fail to believe it was totally on the FO, Harbaugh played a role in his dismissal.

 

[Pattersonca65]

He wore on me as well. I, for one, was glad to see Harbaugh leave. And quite frankly, it looked like he had checked out mentally on SF about mid-season in 2014. His antics were just annoying.. whining to the officials nonstop, focusing more on gimmick plays over actually working on a red-zone offense..etc, etc. His time was up.

Now, was the goof ball they hired last year the right choice? Heck no! But lets be real, with as much turnover as this team had coming into the season no one would have been succesful. It was a miracle they won 5 games as it was!

I dont think Chip is the right hire either though.

Great post. Tomsula is another issue and a poor choice. X and O's are not a Harbaugh strength

 

[purguy12]

I would be shocked if we were the worst team.

 

[deep9er]

Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner better stop the run, or else


makes sense to me, but earlier didn't think of it during sub-packages?!

 

[purguy12]

Armstead and Buckner should help. I like our Dline. I like the Future of our Dline. LB need to play better.

 

[deep9er]

Armstead and Buckner should help. I like our Dline. I like the Future of our Dline. LB need to play better.

Yes, i like the future of our D-line and in this case, 'future' isn't measured in seasons. As the article says, they'd better help.

Not expecting these guys to get sacks, but apply some pressure and bat down some passes. Then add Blair who'll also apply pressure in 'obvious' passing downs. With Dial we have a good rotation going, granted, don't know if someone will/can switch sides?

 

[purguy12]

Yes, i like the future of our D-line and in this case, 'future' isn't measured in seasons. As the article says, they'd better help.

Not expecting these guys to get sacks, but apply some pressure and bat down some passes. Then add Blair who'll also apply pressure in 'obvious' passing downs. With Dial we have a good rotation going, granted, don't know if someone will/can switch sides?

Both have long arms they better knock down passes. I agree Im not worried about sacks for them. Just get pressure. We can QB way too much time last year.

 

[Niner Outlaw]

I've seen a lot of predictions that have us as one of the worst 3 teams in the leauge--ending with just 3 or 4 wins. I find it hard to believe. Just about everything went wrong last year under one of the worst coaches in team history and we still won 5 games. I'll be very surprised if we don't do a little better this year.

 

[Pattersonca65]

I've seen a lot of predictions that have us as one of the worst 3 teams in the leauge--ending with just 3 or 4 wins. I find it hard to believe. Just about everything went wrong last year under one of the worst coaches in team history and we still won 5 games. I'll be very surprised if we don't do a little better this year.

I think part of the reason for that pessimism is having the toughest schedule in the league. I don't know what to expect. I expect the offense to be better right off the bat because Chryst was awful. I don't know what to expect from O'Neil, but can't be worse than Mangini.

 

[Cut My Red I Bleed Gold]

I think part of the reason for that pessimism is having the toughest schedule in the league. I don't know what to expect. I expect the offense to be better right off the bat because Chryst was awful. I don't know what to expect from O'Neil, but can't be worse than Mangini.

I was just about to say the same thing about our schedule...it's straight up the most harrowing scenario for a team in our shoes. Most of this is that we have to play the teams in our division twice...and the other match ups were for certain put together by Stevie Wonder. I can say this much...if we take a few...it's going to feel like we won the SB.

 

[deep9er]

Yeah, we do have a tough schedule, plus all the traveling. Although i still expect to win at least 5 games, i'd be ok with five or less. For me it'll be how we lose, ie don't continue to lose "by giving it away". The main thing is we see improvement as the season goes on, reflected in less turnovers and penalties. This would show the schemes are taking hold and there are less "communication" errors. Less communication errors between Coaches/players, and between players on the field.

If we lose to simply better teams, that is ok for me. If we're still losing due to playing badly/sloppy, that would be unacceptable.

 

[deep9er]

http://www.************.com/commentary/1570-pff-rates-49ers-defensive-front-bottom-units/

very reasonable IMO, both sides. Granted, there should be and adjustment for Lynch's suspension.

 

[Kinzu]

Chip Kelly won 10 games in back to back years with the Eagles using Vick and Foles at QB. The 49ers have better talent on Defense then any of the 3 years Kelly had in Philly. I'd like to think Kaep and Gabbert are at least slightly better than Vick/Foles as well. The one area I don't feel we are as good in is WR and maybe RB.

Those are 2 positions I don't worry as much about though with Kelly as the coach because I feel he could at least get average results out of some of the worst in the league just through his schemes and play calling.

Tough schedule but we likely win around 6 to 8 games. If things get rolling though could easily push that toward 10 and be on the cusp of making the playoffs. I think Arizona wins the NFC West unless Palmer goes down early. Rams finish last in the Division but watch out for them next year. 2nd and 3rd will between us and Seattle. Is Seattle still a top team or primed to take a step back? Are we still falling back or primed to take a step forward?

 

[Pattersonca65]

Chip Kelly won 10 games in back to back years with the Eagles using Vick and Foles at QB. The 49ers have better talent on Defense then any of the 3 years Kelly had in Philly. I'd like to think Kaep and Gabbert are at least slightly better than Vick/Foles as well. The one area I don't feel we are as good in is WR and maybe RB.

Those are 2 positions I don't worry as much about though with Kelly as the coach because I feel he could at least get average results out of some of the worst in the league just through his schemes and play calling.

Tough schedule but we likely win around 6 to 8 games. If things get rolling though could easily push that toward 10 and be on the cusp of making the playoffs. I think Arizona wins the NFC West unless Palmer goes down early. Rams finish last in the Division but watch out for them next year. 2nd and 3rd will between us and Seattle. Is Seattle still a top team or primed to take a step back? Are we still falling back or primed to take a step forward?

Not taking a step back. Won't be as bad as Tomsula was last year. Barring injuries, oline will be much better this year. If Hyde stays healthy, I think RB will be fine. More concerned about the defense and how it performs under O'Neill. I see us at the bottom of the division right now and the only team that could end up near us is the Rams if thinks just fall apart for them. Arizona and Seattle will battle it out. Arizona will be tough on D and the only issue I see there is Palmer getting injured. If they are healthy, they should be no #1. Seattle's issue is their oline. It could be much worse than last year.

 

[deep9er]

Chip Kelly won 10 games in back to back years with the Eagles using Vick and Foles at QB. The 49ers have better talent on Defense then any of the 3 years Kelly had in Philly. I'd like to think Kaep and Gabbert are at least slightly better than Vick/Foles as well. The one area I don't feel we are as good in is WR and maybe RB.

Those are 2 positions I don't worry as much about though with Kelly as the coach because I feel he could at least get average results out of some of the worst in the league just through his schemes and play calling.

Tough schedule but we likely win around 6 to 8 games. If things get rolling though could easily push that toward 10 and be on the cusp of making the playoffs. I think Arizona wins the NFC West unless Palmer goes down early. Rams finish last in the Division but watch out for them next year. 2nd and 3rd will between us and Seattle. Is Seattle still a top team or primed to take a step back? Are we still falling back or primed to take a step forward?

Before losing Ian and then Lynch's suspension i'd have agreed with this, now i'm not so sure? It might be close?

I'll say a small step forward because the O-line will be better, maybe much better. This will allow the run game to be better, and then add a healthy Hyde. But unless we get surprisingly good QB play, i'll still say 'small step'.

 

[purguy12]

We should be avg team this year. Big improvements in game planning on both sides of the ball, upgraded Oline, Healthy Kap, Healthy Hyde, Defense will be better. Weakness is WR's and TE's. I dont know what we are going to get out of them.

 

[deep9er]

We should be avg team this year. Big improvements in game planning on both sides of the ball, upgraded Oline, Healthy Kap, Healthy Hyde, Defense will be better. Weakness is WR's and TE's. I dont know what we are going to get out of them.

Our weaknesses are at the two spots most key to any team.....QB and pass rushing OLB. I would expect improvement at QB at least statistically, but that isn't saying much considering their base line.

Granted, pressure on D doesn't all come from one player, but having one opens up opportunities for others. Having one makes scheming (mixing it up) a little easier for the DC.

 

[purguy12]

Our weaknesses are at the two spots most key to any team.....QB and pass rushing OLB. I would expect improvement at QB at least statistically, but that isn't saying much considering their base line.

Granted, pressure on D doesn't all come from one player, but having one opens up opportunities for others. Having one makes scheming (mixing it up) a little easier for the DC.

I think QB play will be fine(nothing special but good enough to win games). It will come down to Oline play for the QB. Yes pass rush is a concern and Depth at the LB position is also a concern. Where is the pressure going to come from. What can help us out is if our Front 3 or 4 can produce some pressure that would be big. Last year with J. Smith gone we got nothing from our front line except for when Armstead played.

 

[poewelch84]

Harbaugh's track record of moving jobs every 5 years or so, is telling. He IS a good coach and drives his team very hard all the time. He also drives everyone in the organization very hard. This hard driving mentality works well for short term success, but isn't good for long term. Over time players wear down physically and mentally. The people in support roles wear down, which led to his issues with the FO.

i'm very glad we had success again beginning in 2011, but at the same time i understand why Harbaugh left. I also fail to believe it was totally on the FO, Harbaugh played a role in his dismissal.

His coaching style is better for the college game where every year you get 20 to 25 new players and they are still kids and don't often tell you to go f@ck yourself.