Lots of talk out there regarding the huge impact the salary cap will be as guys like Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati, Anquan Boldin, Richard Dawson, Donte Whitner, and a few hundred others come up for free agency in the next year. Someone (or two) is going to be left out with all the signings the Niners need to make. And that’s just from within the team. Kaep to me is the deal you work out first. Everything flows down from getting him on board for the next 4 years at least. After that I think Boldin is the biggest priority. He and Kappy had great great success together. Then you have Crabs. He’s going to be a hairdo I’m afraid. Or maybe he won’t. His holdout to start his career hasn’t been forgotten, but his steady ascension to being a top flight WR has come to pass. But he’s going to want a big payday. One the Niners may not want to do. Because in the endd, he’s a possession WR. Not a burner like Julio Jones (or even Roddy White) or an unstoppable force like Megatron. If anyone is going to get a ride to the end of their deal, it’ll be Crabs. Cheaper possession WRs can be had once his deal runs out. I’d like to see Donte Whitner stick around as well. He has been vital to the development of Eric Reid, and the 2 form a strong safety tandem, despite the rookie mistakes in the NFCCG. Dawson? Sure, but no need to go nuts on him. With McDonald being not much and Celek providing minimally, I’d wonder what a guy like TE Brandon Pettigrew from Deetroit would cost. Maybe get a discount for the opportunity to play on a winning team, or a 2 year incentive-laden deal.
If there are casualties, it could end up being Iupati, Goodwin, Crabs, and Wright. I just wish Boldin wasn’t so old, but he’s not a speed guy anyway, so he shouldn’t drop off too much, at least for the next couple years. Rice played at a high level til he was 40ish. Kilgore Trout and Looney can take Iupati and Goodwin’s line spots, and we can draft backups. Cox is on the bubble, but he played well. As did Tarell Brown once he recovered from his rib injury. I’d keep both and of course draft backups. WR is was and will be a draft need. Osgood and Boobie are ST stalwarts, and should be easy to keep. I heard George Constanza is also available. He was a great ST guy when here, and he wants to come back. With Ventrone signed that may not be possible.
Forty Niners Forever 
Who’s gambling everything on Lattimore? They have Hunter and Gore. And Miller. They have LMJ. They have the draft.
You want to get rid of Gore and Lattimore? Start Hunter? Do we suddenly become a sweep/screen team? Or are we the 72 dolphins and start Miller? Or do we start a rookie?
Oh, now you don’t want to get rid of Lattimore? 3 hours ago you did. Which is it?
I don’t comprehend your shit? You don’t comprehend your shit, Spitty,
Regarding Frank Gore, Jerry Rice went on to play for the Raiders and Seahawks. Ronnie Lott played for the Raiders and Jets. Joe Montana played for the Chiefs, but for some reason Unca’s hooked on Frank Gore retiring as a Niner even though Bill Walsh clearly established a better way. Numbers, HOF, Pro Bowls? Forget about them. It’s all about young, fresh legs next season behind one of the best lines in football. Frank Gore is done. He’s the one who should be cut. Let him play as long as he wants…… else where….. like Joe, Ronnie and Jerry did.
What part of phasing out Gore don’t you get. skippy? I’ve only said it 15 fucking times.
You, like NoFear, repeat your own ingrained narrative to the point of not reading what I write.
Have at it. I want the Niners to sign Gore to a 5 year extension for a billion dollars. Happy, fuckwad?
“Fuckwad”? I want a royalty payment for the use of my patented phrase.
Unca, try to have some class. There’s a difference between phasing someone out and dumping them. Did Bill Walsh and George Seifert phase out Ronnie Lott? I include Bill in there because it was his philosophy.
The point being, we need WR and DB help before we go after RBs.
Spit points to a hidden (because FG has been so steady and productive) weak spot = lack of depth in our RB dept. Lattimore hopefully steps up to replace Frank as this year progresses and I have to think he will. But if not then what? We should be thinking about drafting RBs as well as WRs as Baalke certainly is. Its no secret to them (Baalkebaugh) that we are in dire need of a major infusion of talent in our O to get past SEA. That means players as well as coaching talent / new blood. SEAs D requires that of us otherwise we will be playing for runner up going forward. Even w/o Iupati and Goodwin our O line should be okay with Kilgore/Looney, Boone, A Davis, Staley. If the brain trust thinks otherwise we will be acquiring/drafting O linemen it would seem.
We under utilize LMJ much like we under utilized our WRs. See R Lockette in SB as Exhibit A for our need of new coaching talent on O.
I think we under utilized LMJ in ’13 because he fumbled in the Super Bowl. He’s not my return guy of choice either. I’d much rather have had Ted Ginn back there in ’13. But finding a good return guy is difficult. Either way, LMJ is a waste of a pick, and if you look at Baalke’s draft in ’12, you gotta say ouch. Maybe’s he’s not the greatest talent guy ever. But ’11 was awesome and ’13 has promise. A lot hinges on the productivity of Vance McDonald for the outlook of the ’13 draft.
We don’t have a lack of depth at RB. Not with Lattimore ready and Hunter and LMJ behind them. Shit, we still have Jewel Hampton.
Fuck Lockette. He caught one pass. He don’t mean shit. Ted Ginn is the indictment of this passing offense. He caught more passes this season in Carolina than he did in his entire stay of 3 years in SF.
Yeah, we’ll draft an RB. Maybe 2. But they’ll be later. This team needs a WR that can come in and not get in Harbaugh’s doghouse. Or be ignored. Then they’ll go after a DB or 2.
I agree with this. Harbaugh and Roman have a tough time developing wide receivers. Draft them earlier. Draft running backs later. But if there’s a stud running back like Devanta Freeman available at the end of the second round, you grab him. I still can’t believe Baalke passed on Alshon Jeffrey to grab AJ Jenkins. Talk about your indictments….
Bad scouting. And who was that great WR we got from USC?
Yeh Spit, Baalke isn’t knocking the WR Picks out of the park.
I’ve got to think QPat will do fine, he’s a feisty kid.
This Draft is loaded, let’s hope he has a better time of it this time around.
Ronald Johnson? Great pick. He’s working at Taco Bell these days, right?
Harbaugh passed on Doug Baldwin to pickup Ronald Johnson….. makes you wonder. Harbaugh liked Baldwin coming out of high school. Why not coming out of college? And you have to believe Harbaugh was directly responsible for LaMicheal James. Maybe Harbaugh can’t draft offensive talent at the pro level. But then there’s Kaep… masterful pick if you ask me. Vance could be the determining factor. Not looking good there either…. but if you ask Harbaugh Vance is the next Tony Gonzalez.
VMcD was pretty productive at Rice Spit.
He was more of a slot guy there.
Wasn’t asked to block much.
Could be, that he was simply learning the blocking role this year too?
I never get overly hyped about Rookies, and their production numbers on Offense because, I think it’s a pretty steep learning curve.
Defense is a different story.
I think they can get into the schemes much quicker and, often with better success.
Yeah Jimi passed on Baldwin for R Johnson. And the asst coach who recommended RJ was fired at end of season.Just like the asst who recommended AJJ. Maybe these are growing pains as the Baalkebaugh brain trust puts together decent scouts. Whatever we are haunted/harmed by these picks today.
Re: Baldwin/Harbaugh. Wasnt Baldwin one who said he would “much rather” play fer Carroll than Harbs? I tell ya there are consequences to his abrasive style/control freakishness…but Baldwin would have been better than Taco Bell boy.
Yeah, Baldwin did say that. Hell, I’d rather play for Carroll than Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s never won anything. Carroll’s a winner. Harbaugh’s a loser. I’d rather play for Carroll.
Well, I wanted Keenan Allen instead of Vance the 270 lb slot WR.
It’s the old axiom Chuck, hindsight is always 20/20.
WR is also a difficult position to project between College and the Pros.
For me, I think it’s 80% mental makeup, 20% College production.
This Class is loaded.
Baalke has more chances to get a winner I’d think.
Always a crapshoot it seems.
Ok granted that re: Lockette and 7 other WRs last year and granted our “depth” at RB- which Im skeptical of- what is the answer for the crying need for new blood/talent in COACHING talent for our limited O? Romans not leaving sooooo what we gonna do to break the Singletron/Nolan robotic mode of the last 6-7 years?
Agreed we need help there? What/who is the answer? A consultant, Mangina, new O asst? What?
Phil I’m thinking an additional asst might not be a bad way to go.
Several factors for me are, OLine is built to run, pass blocking isn’t a strong suit.
Also, Kaep isn’t polished as a pocket passer anyway.
It’s almost a perfect storm of confusion, from the OC to the QB to the WRs.
Need stability there too.
Too many gaps in terms of injuries, new players and lack of execution.
Gotta get better.
Any good passing team has continuity and timing with the QB.
We experienced our share of disruptions in that regard.
I’m also having my doubts about the position Coach, John Morton.
Good point about Morton. I didn’t even think about him. Harbaugh’s staff’s been widely considered one of the best in the business….. but not on offense. Solari’s the man, and I like Jesus Jeep Christ. Who doesn’t like Rathman? But Morton, Magnin and Roman suck. And I know technically Mangini isn’t an offensive coach. Technically.
Right about Morton. That slot needs a close look for upgrading
I’ve kicked around an idea regarding WR Jordan Matthews from Vandy.
He, being a cousin to Jerry Rice, might open the option to Jerry being more involved with the Team perhaps?
He did offer his assistance to AJ afterall, which obvioulsy fell on deaf ears.
A family member certainly wouldn’t blow him off right?
A Rice return to the sidelines, as a Passing Game Assistant or whatever, sure couldn’t hurt.
Who’s gonna question his work ethic or production as the GOAT WR?
Jesus yeah get Rice on board!
I’d love to see Mad Mike return. We could start a pool on which shade of blue Jimbo’s face turns when Martz calls for 5 wides again after 2 straight sacks.
Kappy might do well in that system though. He’s nimble and has a strong arm.
Deep Purple my call!
That’s funny RT, I was just joking with my Son recently, that we might want to seek out Crabtrees’ old College Coach, Mike Leach, if WSU parts ways with him.
He’s a quirky, pass first guru, ala Martz but, he did wonders with Crabtree at TX Tech.
Another factor I’ve posted about is, the fact that Kaep throws lasers.
Many crossing routes and screen passes require a decent amount of touch and timing.
It’s something I think Kaep has yet to master to this point.
I’d dump Mangini. He might have protected us against tipping our hand, but we also sucked….. so there’s that to consider.
I think Roman sucks too, but he’s here for a least another year. CSN Bay Area ran a story on Roman’s time for a HC job coming, eventually. I say horse cookies. I don’t think Roman will ever be a HC. But he’s here for at least another year so draft to his strengths, and that’s RB talent.
The overall answer is more talent at the offensive skill positions. And I don’t think we can keep both Boldin and Crabtree. I think Boldin and Crabtree are similiar possession type receivers. This year we had nobody who could consistently stretch the field. Problem with Vernon stretching the field is that he’s a big body and he’d eventually get tired if you asked him to run the decoy route alla Moss or Ginn all game long.
I think you keep Crabtree, but see what his crazy ass agents wants. If he’s reasonable, keep him. If not, keep Boldin. But if Crabtree’s agent’s reasonable, I heavily leverage Boldin and don’t re-sign him unless it’s in the neighborhood of 3 million per year. I know he’s worth more, but we’re not in the business of paying more.
If we could somehow make our offensive skill position players Kaep, Hunter, Crabtee, Vernon, Vance McDonald, Patton, Devanta Freeman, Jeremy Hill and a first round wide receiver who could stretch the field, I’d be happy with that. I’d also love it if Baalke could find a Bar None in the later rounds to replace Bruce Miller. I’d dump Dixon, Gore, James and Jewel Hampton. Again, if Crabtree’s reasonable, I doubt I’d keep Boldin.
Yeah I said the same thing somewhere that I think Crabs goes after this year if we sign Boldin for a 2 year deal. Crabs is going right back to holdout mode once his current deal ends.
Wouldn’t be surprised unfortunately. All the more reason to seriously focus on upgrading WRs this year.
On the one hand I could see Crabtree wanting to play with Colin Kaepernick. On the other hand I could see Crabtree wanting to play in a pass-first offense. Hard to tell what Crabtree will want. Mike Iupati is the big philosophical swing decision. If Iupati stays, Crabtree goes. Then we’ll just be a ground and pound team modeled more like Seattle, and that, to me, sucks. I want to see this team pass the ball more. I’m not saying abandon the run, but I’d go after Kaep and Cratbree and work on throwing the ball more, and more effectively. Needless to say, I’m not a fan of our offense.
The last thing I’ll say about all this tonight is that if you’re going to keep Mike Iupati three things must follow: The first thing is that Crabtree is much, much less likely to be re-signed. The second thing is that you must draft a running back higher THIS year. And the third thing is Colin Kaepernick can’t get a huge deal because with signing Iupati you’re taking a guard over a potential HOF wide receiver in Crabtree, so your philosophy is to beat ’em with the run. Can’t pay a qb top dollar to beat ’em with the run.
This offense is really an offensive team divided. Kaep and Crabtree, who are friends, want to see this offense air it out. Roman, Iupati and Jim Schembechler want to see the offense go ground and pound. It’ll be interesting to see who wins. I hope it’s Kaep and Crabtree. One thing in Kaep and Crabtree’s favor: Frank Gore is done. Another thing in Kaep and Crabtree’s favor: AJ Jenkins. Harbaugh and Baalke can’t draft wide receivers. Kaep recently said he wants to take less so other guys can get re-signed. Didn’t hear Crabtree say that. Either way, because Harbaalke can’t draft wrs, Crabtree has some leverage. It’s not like Vernon and Boldin are spring chickens.
NF making a big deal about a comment of probowl selection is sidetracking the pertinent issue, Franks obvious decline. Clearly we see Frank differently at this point in his career. Your entitled to your opinion too.
I think it was you who made that an issue in response to my post. Check the record.
And the fantasy football site doesn’t give a shit about the o-line playing like shit, they just care that the guy didn’t get the fantasy football points they projected for him, because that’s what they sell to newbies.
You don’t think pro coaches and pro players voting for a guy for pro bowl recognition means anything but a fantasy football site’s writer’s opinion is the yard stick you throw out as golden? Okay, good luck with that.
I find you placing words in my mouth and stretching my comments to fit your version of my opinion.
Gore is declining and that’s a statistical fact as well as an obvious one and he has been for several years.
He has faced 8 and 9 guys in the box his entire career, in fact far moreso earlier in his career when the O was Gore, Gore and Gore and he did it behind some seriously shitty lines blocking for him.
Gore’s ability to run despite the blocking and focus on him has been his career MO, his ability to get it done against premium D has diminished considerably.
You want to stay in memory lane knock yourself out.
My money says the front office keep him around 1 more year if they can figure a way to do it but his day in the sun is over as the bell cow.
If it turns out I’m wrong be sure to let me know at the end of next season.
Rotoworlds opinion of Frank:
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3205/frank-gore
New thread is up.