Turn out the lights.
Well, the music is your special friend.
Dance on fire as it intends.
Music is your only friend.
Until the end.
__________________________________________
Yet another speculative article by Mike Florio apparently points to the Niners resigned to letting Harbaugh walk after 2015.
Florio sez:
The San Francisco 49ers are prepared to let coach Jim Harbaugh walk away after his contract expires at the end of 2015.
The distance between Harbaugh and the team’s front office seems to be growing by the day and if Harbaugh had wanted to go to Cleveland, the club would not have blocked him.
The 49ers are in a good position because offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was a candidate for several head coaching jobs in 2013, could easily slide into Harbaugh’s seat and keep the continuity of the offense intact.
Florio writes:
‘We first developed a clear sense that the Niners wouldn’t compel Harbaugh to stick around after his name emerged as a candidate for the University of Texas job last season. If Harbaugh had wanted to leave for Austin, the 49ers would have wished him well. As a result, things can get very interesting as 2014 unfolds. Barring a long-term, big-money deal that binds the Niners and Harbaugh together beyond the next two season, other teams will inevitably call the 49ers after the season ends, if not sooner.’
____________________________________________________
I give this one a big whatever as well, with a big But. If things are as fucked up as currently being reported, this catastrophe won’t last until June, let alone the conclusion of the 2015 season. The part that makes me want to puke my guts out is the line where Florio says that they can simply install Greg Roman in Harbaugh’s place and continue on their merry way. If this comes to pass, well, I’ll be lead pitchfork calling for Jed York’s head on a silver platter.
Frankly, I find it hard to believe that the players in this Sysyphusian Greek tragedy are so willing to blow this shit up when they are so close to pushing the rock to the top of the hill. If they reach the promised land and win the Super Bowl this year, will these guys still be at each others’ throats? Will they still be willing to chuck this all away?
What if they don’t reach the playoffs this year?
Forty Niners Forever 
Baalke’s right but Harbaugh wins a power struggle. Baalke and Paraage are right in that you dump the older guys like Goodwin in favor of Kilgore, or you even dump Goldson in favor of someone not on the roster, like Eric Reid. Harbaugh would rather have Goldson and Goodwin, and Harbaugh’s wrong. If anything illustrates the importance of developing talent while working well underneath the salary cap, it’s the recent success of both Russell and Colin. Both players, at the biggest money making position in football, competed for Super Bowls while taking less the mandatory less so their teammates could make more. This analogy extends to all positions on the field, most recently emphasized by Kilgore. So Baalke’s right and Harbaugh’s wrong.
However (and this hasn’t been talked about enough by the talking heads all over the United States) the 49ers haven’t built this organization up enough yet for it to be one of the “Shining Cities on the Hill,” that attracts any coach the 49ers want. Jed York’s wanderings through the ex head coaching desert are still far too familiar in the minds of NFL executives and coaches. If Harbaugh leaves now, or even next year, Rome will fall once again. Harbaugh, for now, is the glue that keeps it all together.
For the 49ers to consider moving on without Harbaugh, the 49er organization needs to once again assert its dominance over the NFL. A new stadium, proven track record of a GM (Baalke’s not proven yet – it takes about five years for us to be able to sort out if he’s really good at evaluating and drafting talent), a winning organization and owner who’s proven to understand the subtleties of keeping an organization on top are required before you can entertain letting Harbaugh go.
I understand also that Paraage may be the driving force behind moving Reid and Kilgore in, but for now let’s lump the two (Paraage and Baalke) together because the decision to let Goldson go may be Paraage’s but he needs Baalke to replace Goldson with Reid.
Once the 49ers have built it, they will come. Once the 49ers have an awesome stadium with an owner who doesn’t step on his Johnson with tweets he later backtracks from, and once the 49ers have a front office that’s reputable with a proven track record and time under their belts, and once the 49ers have won a Super Bowl, then the 49ers can attract talent at the head coaching position. Maybe all of this is what prompted ESPN to write, “The 49ers need Harbaugh more than Harbaugh needs the 49ers.” Maybe, right now, this is what’s prompted John Madden to say, “It’s easier to get a suit than it is to get a coach.” After Cower rebuilt the Steelers with a loss in the Super Bowl with Steward and an eventual win with Rothlesberger, Mike Tomlin was glad to join – knowing the Steelers were once again a classy organization that, from top to bottom, knew how to win. The San Francisco 49ers aren’t there yet. Harbaugh’s brought them to three consecutive Championship games, but it’s not enough for the 49ers to consider parting ways with Harbaugh.
The Reid grab/trade out I think was a decision driven by DGs cap ## and no doubt Balky consulted Jimi on who he liked. Jim knew of E Reid and family from JH recruiting efforts at Stanford, a great call. That one looks to have been a very successful decision from the mighty trio of MP, TB, JH.
We win as SB in next 2 years Jimi will be even LESS likely to depart IMO.
All of this bickering can be easily corrected with Jim grabbing the Lombardi.
He’d get paid top money with the top prize delivered.
Paying him for the hardware ahead of time leaves no incentive IMO.
Whether we’re to believe the Offense is his or Romans’ is one in the same.
Jim is the HC, the results belong to him, both good and bad.
We’re still left to debate the nature of the WR position.
Is it Baalke not hitting on the selections from that group or, Jim/GRo not utilizing them properly?
As is demonstrated with Kilgore, Drafting mid to late RD guys, affords the team the opportunity to test personnel on the cheap before extending any heavy Cap commitments.
When you miss on the higher RD guys it’s a different kettle of fish.
Our starting rotation is strong enough now to back-fill for depth while creating competition for those starting roles.
This is where the talent evaluation process reaps dividends.
Even when a guy like TBrock takes the slow road to payday, he provides depth in other areas.
CJ Spillman is another guy hanging onto his roster spot.
Wouldn’t surprise me to see him get some meaningful playing time soon either.
Plus, when these guys are extended, the bump isn’t normally a Cap-busting situation, as it would be for a guy like Iupati for example.
Yep fer sure we need good talent evaluation to ensure a regular supply of younger talent we can develop cheap. Seems most of the recent struggles have been in drafting / developing RBs and WRs
Spit another guy that came to mind since we were speculating on potential Coaching candidates is, Marty Mornhinweg, ex coach with GB/9ers/Lions/Eagles and current NYJ OC.
As you suggest, once we’re in the Playoff caliber level of teams, the hiring process leverage belongs to the 9ers.
We’re no longer bargaining without leverage, as we were when Dr York was forced into the Captain’s seat, with no NFL experience to work with.
I’d read that Harbaugh approved of the potential hiring of either Lombardi or Baalke, while he was being courted for the SF HC position, while at Stanford too.
So, it’s more of an issue for me, that Harbaugh is the guy gumming up this reported rift in the FO.
He was dismal as a HC in Detroit but, it’s Detroit.
A place that Mariucci also didn’t have much success, which could also point at a less then adequate FO structure.
He being Mornhinweg of course.
Marty Mornhinweg? Are you kldding me? Apparently you didn’t hear what John Madden said.
Was Matt Millen their GM? ‘Nuff said.
Not sure where this “top money” idea came from that we hear reporters throwing around for Hendrix. Agree it would be nuts to consider giving Jimi “the most/highest” salary w/o winning the big one. I can’t believe that’s his negotiating position. There must be- as there currently is- an incentive to win it all.
BTW I heard Harbaugh didn’t even ask for an equal salary as Carroll got when he joined Niners ($5 vs 6 mil). Now PC wins it all and Jimi’s got work to do to match that. So he can get a few bucks more than PCs new contract after SB win #6.
Well. there’s the rub. And this has been the deal since all this shit came out into the open. Harbaugh needs to win the whole enchilada before he complains about his salary or his players. The thing is, he’s not doing the complaining. He may be bitching in the background, but mainly it’s all coming from others in the org and outside speculation.
Harbaugh’s not going to say a word. Now, or going into the season. Other than “I’m focused on the task at hand , ant that’s winning the Super Bowl.” Which is how it should be, but it also puts the pressure squarely on him to deliver. Which is also how it should be. It puts the impetus on him to get more creative with the passing game and for him to do a better job of getting Kaepernick better at dissecting defenses through the air. Whether by dumping Roman, expanding Kappy’s role in reading progressions, or using ALL the talent available on the team.
In a final thought: BLEEP Losing! We want WINNERS!
The long knives are out for Harbaugh. Reporters are laying it on now which was something to be expected considering the way Harbaugh has treated them in the past. I wrote about that long ago that while all is rosy he will get away with it but once things turn he will have problems from reporters.
Ann Killion says some of the marquee players are tired of Harbaughs schtick according to her “inside source” :
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Harbaugh-saga-promises-to-dominate-49ers-season-5281408.php
Are we surprised 12th?
When a talented roster tastes the SB, and 3 NFCC games, only to come up short, who gets scrutinized more then the HC and his Staff?
Was Kaep instructed to target Crabtree at the expense of other options?
Harbaugh seemed to think Kaep was correct, with his assessment in choosing to pick on Sherman, with a WR who isn’t known for his veritcal leaping abilities.
We’ve dragged this corpse through the mud here for weeks, months even, if we’re adding to the furor of boring football and, lack of Red Zone production along the way.
Either Harbaugh is too stubborn to change OCs or, he’s pig-headed enough to think he’s going to prove his way works, at Baalke’s expense.
If Killions’ sources are legit, a locker room of talented guys aren’t going to be happy with anything but the Ring.
I hardly think any of them is thinking in terms of Baalke not giving them talented guys to go to battle with.
This reported discord will only fester further, if the Offense doesn’t start taking some heat off the Defense.
FGs, instead of extra points, is getting too hard to ignore.
I think Killion’s right here about players getting somewhat tired of Harbaugh, but it’s not a deal breaker. I said last year the “Who’s got it better than us?” rally cry was bs and tired. But again…. Harbaugh’s a young coach. Part of being a great coach is being able to constantly reinvent yourself so guys continue to listen. Pete Carroll has it right: be enthusiastic and be real. Pete’s both. Larry Bird stepped away from coaching early because he couldn’t reinvent himself or the core of who he was (as a coach, not a player) wasn’t respectable enough for guys to stay motivated. Larry said, “After a while they stop listening to you.”
Harbaugh’s learning on the job (and NFL players are different because you’re around some guys for ten years while in college it’s five max). This idea that Harbaugh is wearing thin on older players might be the reason Harbaugh feels so indebted to them. There might be some connection there. People know when they’re not well liked. Maybe Harbaugh in some weird way bribes them with loyalty and playing time when neither should be a given.
But I’ve been writing this all along. For Harbaugh to win Super Bowls, he needs to evolve. No question about it. That doesn’t mean Harbaugh loses a power struggle.
Forget the older players like Rogers, Smith, Gore and Goodwin. Football is a young man’s game, and part of Harbaugh’s evolution needs to be for him to lose some loyalty to guys long in the tooth.
And let’s not forget, relatively speaking Harbaugh’s a young coach, still learning his craft. And even though as Killion points out, Madden is an old coach, what Madden said is exactly correct. Hell, NJ just suggest Marty Mornhinweg. Really? What was the other dude’s name NJ suggested? Charlie Wies? It’s easier to replace a suit.
But Killion touched on an import theme: Harbaugh must continue to evolve. I hope Harbaugh reads Killion’s article. I’ve felt all along he’s a little too stubborn. Change is a good thing.
I think this notion that Harbaugh or Roman is demanding Kaepernick to not look at anything but a single route/receiver on any given play is nuts.
I could maybe see a play designed to pick on a particular DB that is showing some weakness and CK7 being told that’s who we want to pick on, if it’s not there, just throw it away, we have time and TOs. But that guy wouldn’t be Sherman in the Conference game.
I believe CK7 is being coached up to do things he’s not doing. And looking at other options is one of them. This isn’t college ball, we have progressions here. Don’t be so quick to pull it down, and when you do keep looking downfield for a play. It often goes to shit during a game, but that doesn’t mean Kaepernick is being directed to throw it to Crabtree no matter what. That’s just ridiculous.
Right now CK7 is looking like Sanchez looked in his first couple years, with more running ability. Stuck on favorites, staring down his intended targets, and not processing the defense he’s seeing. Not time to bitch about power or big money unless one thinks he can’t do any better than what he’s done up to now.
What’s needed here is some adult supervision. Jed may not be the guy to bring it.
He dedfinitely is attached to Crabtree NoFear49er.
Harbaugh backing him up, about his pre-snap decision to go that way, is the reason I suggest the theory in the first place.
As many of us thought, Harbaugh would likely be the best tutor for a young QB.
Something just isn’t right with the state of this Offense.
Hard for me to decode the nuances Harbaugh seems to enjoy delivering, especially after 2 failiures in big spots, both involving the Kaep to Crabtree connection.
Agree with you regarding Jed in this particular situation too.
Could Harbaugh be sensing him as a weak link?
Forcing him into a decision between himself and Baalke?
Totally plausible.
NJ, I’m starting to think you’re blind… or have head trauma.
Hey NJ49er, I think Harbaugh’s the type that will back up his QB to the press. Hopefully that’s not his coaching technique, too.
Makes sense NoFear49er in that regard.
Let’s hope he isn’t simplifying the Offense to that extent.
NoFear,
I don’t think it’s as simple as this. In Kaep’s first full year he lost Crabtree and the 49ers were still figuring out an identity on offense, moving away from the read option. The 49ers lost Ginn, Delanie Walker and Randy Moss on offense, so Kaep lost weapons and Roman lost flexibility. Hell, Kaep didn’t have many offensive weapons he was familiar with this year besides Gore. Even Quinton Patton went down for most of the year, and he was rookie. What the 49ers really had for most of the year was Boldin who was double and even triple covered, and Frank Gore. That’s about it. And Kaep and Harbaugh still went to the NFC Championship game, and almost won.
I agree it’s never a good thing to have just one read, but that probably done more out of necessity than out of design. Let’s see what happens with Crabtree back, Patton back and in his second year, McDonald in his second year and Boldin in his second year.
You guys are forgetting how awful this team was without Harbaugh. Marty Morningweg? Charile Weis? Jim Tomsula? Are you guys insane?
Spit the question still remains, where’s the Offense?
Marty is an Offensive guy, nobody I’m going to rate as the next great option, simply a guy who has worked well with young QBs in a WCO.
We’re not lighting up the scoreboard with the Harbaugh/Roman version of Offensive strategy are we?
Kaep worked all of the last off-season with Lockette.
Where’d that get him, or Lockette?
The point I’m trying to illustrate is, where is Kaep on the scale of development?
As NoFear49er suggested, is he Sanchez with running ability?
If Harbaugh chose him, saw him as the total package, who’s at fault for these myopic tendencies in the most critical points of the biggest games?
Surely we won’t debate the Baalke/Harbaugh decision on his selection will we?
Spitblood, pretty big difference in the excuse factor in your appraisal of QB and RB. It would make more sense if you weren’t so anxious to back up the money truck for such a performance from both HC and QB.
Harbaugh’s success aside for a moment, he walked into a built team ready to contend. He didn’t make any great changes to the defense, special teams or especially the offense. A number of coaches could have possibly pulled off what Harbaugh did. Mainly take the losing mistakes away from Alex Smith. I know a lot of coaches would have killed for the chance Harbaugh got here with this pre-built roster.
He did what he was hired to do, and I don’t take any of his successes away from him. But “give him whatever he wants” and “who else could do that” are a little out of whack.
Jesus H. Christ. Could you be sucking Harbaugh’s dick any more? He’s won nothing. Give it a rest. Just like that old Groucho Marx tale when hosting “You Bet Your Life”…
Woman: “I have 14 children, Groucho”.
Groucho: “You have 14 children? Why do you have so many kids?”
Woman: “Because I love my husband”.
Groucho: “I love my cigar too, but I take it out of my mouth every once in a while.”
Spit someone has to accept the fact that we laid an egg in terms of missing the prize the past 3 years.
For me, it goes into the same bin.
Offensive shortcomings.
It’s either placed on Kaep’s lack of development, Harbaughs’ abilities to outscheme the opponents or, Romans’ inability to deliver more options from the passing game.
As Harbaugh brought the Staff with him, it’s more focused on his style of play IMO.
Running is good.
You need to deliver those blows in order to maintain balance.
What’s missing is obvious.
A lack of purpose or diversity in the passing game.
If Harbaugh can’t rat out Roman, it’s going to remain a smear on his resume.
Captain of the ship, so to speak.
Whether he got more involved with play calling or, it’s just another ingredient in the subterfuge efforts.
I’m beginning to think Harbaugh is unable to accept criticism.
When the water starts to heat up, he goes on the offensive against the powers that be.
‘Let me do it my way, I can make it right’.
Complete denial.
Blame everyone else.
Control freak.
0-3 is the perfect storm for controversy.
Harbaugh is creating a diversion IMO.
He failed at the finish line, not Baalke.
It’s Oscar night! Who am I wearing? Why thank you for asking. White sneakers by Starter. Blue hospital scrub pants courtesy of California Pacific Medical. Black T by Cheetah. And thanks to Coolmore Ireland, a beige horse hat bearing the name Galileo. The finest stud in all of Europe. Though I’ve been told when I cross the pond, I give ’em a run for his money.
Bottomline: So far, with all of you against Harbaugh, you’ve suggested replacements of Jim Tomsula, Charlie Weis and Marty Mornhigweg. This is why I’m suckin’ Jim Harbaugh’s dick. Can’t get enough, really. You guys are idiots to think replacing Harbaugh would put this team back in the playoffs or contending for Super Bowls with Baalke, Paraage and Jed York’s expertise. Apparently you’ve forgotten the Mike Singletary, Mike Nolan years, thinking this time it would be different. That’s denial. Denial ain’t just a river in Missouri. And Del claiming Harbaugh hasn’t won anything is like Del claiming three weeks of sobriety, while heavily drugged. I have ESPN and John Madden on my side. You guys can have your Ann Killions and your Tim Ks. It’s the company you keep.
Spit the ideal outcome would be that this FO would get their collective heads out of their backsides and, recognize that there are improvements that need to be made.
If Harbaugh is content to turn on the FO, instead of accepting his role in the shortcomings, how long would you expect the marriage to last?
No one has forgotten the recent past.
It all looked good when the Harbaugh/Baalke union was announced.
Results have been excellent in terms of the turnaround.
What’s being debated isn’t simply replacing Jim.
It’s about what needs to change and who’s going to identify the problem(s) and get them corrected?
If Jim chooses to fingerpoint and make demands, he’s as good as gone.
Like it or not, he’s being labeled as a cancer.
Can’t expect things to change if he’s not willing to stand up and say what needs to be said.
He failed to deliver, for whatever the reasons he feels are adequate or, he’s just delaying the inevitable.
It’s on the HC, good and bad.
He’s the one who’s apparently in denial.
I take the media reports with a grain of salt.
Someone, (Jed), needs to get in front of this garbage, preferrably all 3 of them, and make it clear that they’re still focused on improving the roster and the results.
If that can’t be done, (which it hasn’t), we are simply left to assume all is not right in the FO and, these reports will continue to gain traction.
ESPN and Madden aren’t any closer to this team than we are.
Every media outlet with a pulse, smells the blood in the water and, makes opinion pay dividends.
Madden is an ex-HC. No surprise he feels the ‘suits’ are expendible.
He didn’t Draft players, manage a Cap or, have half the pressure of the mega-Contracts today’s players are being paid under.
It’s a New World Order in comparison to what he operated in.
NJ, You have head trauma. You need to sit down. Jed fixing this? Please. You’re only kidding yourself. You know what he did immediately after the story broke? He flew to Florida with his family. He’s not even aware he has a problem, and if he is, his solution is to watch the blogs. He’s just a kid looking for glory without doing the necessary things to gain anyone’s respect. Stadium? Great. But can you win? Carmen Policy said what’s needed now is a very well thought out and subtle psychology to bring both camps together for sustainability. Jed took that to heart so much that he flew to Florida with his family and got into spats with Grant Cohn via twitter upon touchdown in Miami. Our fearless leader. And you think there’s going to be a meeting of the minds? Please. Your head wound is leaking.
The fact that Jed can’t handle this shows you how incompetent the 49er front office is. First he denies the Browns story, then backtracks. Now he’s watching the media like a hawk but doesn’t have the slightest idea how to squash this. Our front office, regardless how much you guys want to deny it or look the other way, is still incompetent.
If I ran the 49ers, the first thing I would have done when Jim took the job was give him a list of things he needed to work on. Maybe not the first year, but certainly after year two with all the complaining to the refs and rumors he wasn’t well liked at Stanford. Why would I do this? Because of Eddie D and Bill Walsh and what I’ve been preaching all along – sustainability. Then I wouldn’t hold him to those objectives (because Jim’s holding all the cards) but I would have sat down with him and counseled him about what’s needed for sustainability. And yeah, I’m about Jed’s age. I could counsel Jim…. because I have objectivity and would even if I was the owner. I would have talked to Jim about Larry Bird, Tom Coughlin, John Wooden, and others.
And if I was the owner right now I damn sure wouldn’t be vacationing with my family in Florida. I don’t care what Harbaugh was doing. Think it wouldn’t take long for a smart reporter like Killion to reach out to a disgrunted player like maybe LaMicheal James or former Niner, Brandon Jacobs to keep the story going (which is her job)? I’d be working on this problem night to squash potential Killion stories so I could re-sign guys like Boldin and Kaep. Working on it now, instead of flying to Miami, could mean the difference between Super Bowls with Harbaugh or another decade of talentless coaches. But not Jed. Jed wants to go play in the sand. And don’t give me this shit about owners meetings. You better have your priorities straight if you’re going to chase Super Bowls.
It might make you feel good to think a child like Jed has the psychological and business acumen to pull this all together, but I’m under no illusions. This, because Jed is a child, will come down to a power struggle and it’s anyone call who stays and who goes because again, I don’t have the faith in Jed to make a good decision. He brought us Erickson, Singletary and Nolan, and probably only landed Harbaugh because Harbaugh was close and the 49ers had years of talent acquired due poor coaching and poor win / lose records. Jed was lucky Harbaugh landed in Jed’s lap, but Jed’s certainly not doing anything to earn Jim’s loyalty for the next ten years.
Spitblood, John Madden, Jim Harbaugh and ESPN are on one side. NJ, 12th, Killion, Maiocco, Tim K and Baalke are on the other. It’s the company you keep…… and the amount of denial you can stomach. I’m not in denial about Jed York’s incompetence.
Where’s Dr Harry Edwards when you need him?
There’s a man who knows his Sports Pyschology.
Spit my head trauma comes from beating it on the keyboard here.
We, collectively, all of us, don’t know the full story.
If you’re paying Jim $5M a year you damn well better have a say in what’s expected.
My stance has been that Baalke made this hire.
If Jim has turned on Baalke, as reports have suggested, there’s not much that can be done until someone clears the air.
I’m after the Carmen Policy approach too.
Get in front of the mic’s and BS if necessary.
Someone, be it Jed, Baalke or Harbaugh has to act like a professional here.
You’ve chosen a side in this debate, with the same amount of info we all have seen and heard.
I want this garbage to cease as well.
This could well be water over the dam for all we know.
It might already have reached critical mass?
You’re free to have your view of things.
All good in my book.
I’m simply hemorrhaging disgust with the speculation at this point.
Jed didn’t hire the previous regimes, Dr York did.
Agree there, he is, and was, largely clueless.
Thank Eddie for that derailment.
All I want is for this garbage to get addressed and the rumor mill squelched.
And while you’re speculating on Jed playing in the sand, it’s quite possible he’s planning an exit strategy with Uncle Eddie.
Who happens to call Tampa his home.
Facts remain.
It’s a mess.
There may be no easy answer at this point too.
Since Jed hired Baalke, trusted him to hire Harbaugh, he may well feel that this has reached a point of no return.
Until we hear differently, this is what it is.
A media frenzy of speculation about who wants the control, Jim or Trent.
This may or may not be, a time for damage control.
Fish, or cut bait.
I wasn’t claiming anything, That was just a point of reference. How bout I proclaim something instead. Kim Novak handed out the Oscar to “Frozen” for best animation. Need look no further then her mirror. Hasn’t plastic surgery improved in the past quarter century? Guess not.
Ann Killion is piling on late after the play is over trying to stir controversy and get mileage out of a non-story. NFL.com had the shortest story -one paragraph- quoting her regarding “Harbaugh’s wearing thin with (unnamed of course) ‘Face of the Forty Niners’ type players. So I looked up her original article mentioned above and it has nothing of substance beyond what I just quoted. Sure some players are frustrated at not winning it all after 3 trips to playoffs. Players are frustrated. Fans are frustrated. Coaches are frustrated. Reporters are frustrated. We have to listen to NFL.com to know this? Old news, nothing here.
Except Killion Stands exposed as a stooge with an ax to grind against Hendrix. Gee I wonder who in the front office planted/instigated this rehash? Hmmm, I can think of at least one playing the same game Jimi is accused of here on this blog (you know who you are) in the FO. Or AK is merely a late to the party opportunist looking fer attention. Or more likely she is both a stooge in a skirt and an opportunist acting in concert with her buddy reporter Maiocco to support their pal in the FO- the unnamed ‘source’ of this supposed revelation.
The timing stinks. The substance is lacking. This smacks of “manipulation by triangulation” (let’s you and me go after the HC and support our dog in this fight). Oh and we’ll send this shocking revelation/ugly accusation over to national media NFL.com where my buddy Joe Blow Job will be sure to publicize it for all the world to see/ Ain’t we clever?
It’s the very same blame game played out by proxies in the power struggle/personality conflict/frustrated FO after The Team Forty Niners lost 3 X in playoffs. Same game Jimi Hendrix is accused of here and elsewhere in blogworld.
I’m not buying it. Nice try no sale. So who you got to replace HC of the Niners? Or is Madden full of shit?
The problem is, Jed York isn’t doing anything to fix it. Jed’s got his toes in the sand as his front office and coaches are getting trounced in the media. No why Jed’s in Florida? Because cowards run from a fight.
“Know”
Cowardliness does have its advantages. Just ask Baron Rolphe Von Stuppe…
Whoever did that stunt broke his back on that boat. Could be the title of your next favorite movie, Del – Broke Back Boat.
Ann Killion is a hack writer. Nothing of substance in her article. Since when is she connected to the inner workings of the Niners? Since never. She voted for 4 guys on her BBHOF ballot, leaving 6 slots blank. It was called one of the most idiotic HOF ballots this year. She’s got zero credibility…
http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2014/january/2014-s-worst-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballots.html
“Since never”. Lol. Yeah it’s bullcrap
No Jed is supposed to be in FLA for “Pre-League Meeting Meetings”. Dunno.
But every accusation leveled at Jimi by NJ and others (Maiocco, Killion, Kawakami) is equally apt to be said of Mr Balky: take responsibility, stop deflecting blame, cooperate more, grow more, admit mistakes, yadayadayada. Using media pals to launch accusations at a rival – Hendrix- is exactly what Balky is up to as we see in this phony report from Killion. Grow up Trent yer fingerprints are all over this one. You will lose this power struggle if you don’t cease. Coaches are more important than suits. What did the Packers do after Lombardi? Took a 20 year dump. What happened to the Team That Walsh Built after he left and the last of his coaches: long long escalating dump.
Doesn’t matter what bloggers (including me) say, or reporters, the GM and HC need to cooperate or someone will be found to make a functional replacement. Since there are NO ADEQUATE or equivalent replacements for Mr James Harbaugh then obviously Balky will be the one to hit the road. Why isn’t this blatantly clear to his supporters? Blinded by the need to keep “their guy” in office? Yes obviously. Blindness ain’t so bright, lol. But facts are as just stated: there’s no replacement in coaching ranks for Jim. None. Griping about “All Jimi did was win the NFC West 2X, the NFC once and go to the SB” in his 3 years of coaching leadership is pitifully laughable. No one else in the history of the NFL (= 80 years) could manage that but “It’s a failure” ? Pathetic frankly.
Jed is letting these two duke it out in the battle to win public opinion. At this point what can he do to solve the conflict but let these hotshots fire away? But there will come a time when he will (may) have to choose and he will choose the irreplaceable HC.
Don’t be fooled by the smokescreens of the proxy war, they mean nothing. Jed knows this if I do.
They sending you that Niner Kool-Aid via next day air or UPS ground?
My goodness. Even I don’t drink that much alcohol.
Naw it’s my masters degree in small group systems: MA Psychology. Elementary my dear Watson
Del – so who’s your Post Harbaugh coach? It’s easy to sit on the sidelines, crying. Much harder to create a post Harbaugh plan. Kool-Aid’s one thing. No plan is something else a whole lot worse. I’ll have another round of Kool-Aid, please.
Phil my opinion in this has been largely formed from the speculation circus as reported.
We hear of Jim wanting control.
He’s had control of the roster.
I don’t necessarily side with Baalke, other then the fact that Jim took his personnel and did exceedingly well with them.
Good HC? Absolutely.
Bad GM? I can’t say that’s true.
Given the talent he inherited, he failed in 3 attempts to deliver the hardware.
This debate has been about who failed.
Baalke put the roster together, Jim won with it, 3 years running.
All it suggests to me is, Jim called the shots and fell short.
Not a function the GM is involved with.
Doesn’t it strike you as odd that Jim controlled the 46 active players every game and couldn’t get a passing game going?
Isn’t it just a little bit plausible that Jim isn’t owning up to his share of the criticism?
I’m not out to burn anyone. Simply looking for someone to stand up and say, ‘we’re still in this thing together’.
Absent that, I’d have to surmise that things may have already reached an impasse.
Reports would have us believe Jim isn’t an easy guy to deal with.
He accepted employment, apparently in harmony with Trent, from the get go.
Things fall short, neither guy backs the other?
It’s garbage.
No one wins this standoff, until everyone agrees to focus on the jobs they’ve each been paid to do.
I really don’t think this is about “who failed?” Few looking at 49ers from outside (most all of us) would say we failed. If so then the question is “Failed compared to what?”. No I see this as a question about who gets to shape the future direction of the team esp. the offense. Balky sez it should be him, Jimi thinks otherwise. They disagree, they argue. We suppose. Again Control of future direction of Offense. If it can’t be resolved and/ or we start losing/failing then one will be fired. We could get along for years just like this and it would be frustrating but not fatal.
I’ve never been the marrying type, but I think I’d allow Amy Adams to lock me up in handcuffs and throw away the keys. That has nothing to with sex. I just wanna be next to that girl. Warm and fuzzy all over.
I don’t know who I despise more at this very moment, Jim Harbaugh of Ellen DeGeneres. But they sure share two things in common: Both are gay in their own way on bomb on the big stage.
I don’t know who I despise more at this very moment: Del or Sarah Palin. Both are terrible patriots and dumber than a horse apple.
What is the difference between Jimi H and Ann Killion, Ellen Degeneres, Mr Balky and Matt Maiocco?
Only one is irreplaceable
Is it Ellen Degeneres? Rosie O’Donnell was a gay talk show host. Both loved Tom Cruise.
This nonsense is damn near arguing the chicken and the egg theory.
Is it personnel or play calling?
We all have our opinions on which side of that line we’ll choose to stand.
When it gets delivered as Harbaugh or Baalke, the line seems to take a different shape.
If Harbaugh has a reputation for being difficult, tell me how this FO would improve, if he were allowed to knock down the foundation?
Can Harbaugh turn up the Offense?
What exactly does Harbaugh want to make that happen?
A comment from Frank Gore during the year was very telling for me. I’m paraphrasing but he said something along the lines of “the defense knows what’s coming” meaning the O was predictable.
I don’t blame Harbaugh for not winning a SB. It takes everything to line up damn near perfectly to win and although he is a big part of that he is hardly the only responsible guy, other than from the perspective of the HC carries the ultimate can. It does not mean he should be paid at the highest levels however.
Baalke has built a roster very capable of winning the SB and the team has gotten close to that goal under Harbaugh.
The issue is that Harbaugh is unhappy in his pay/control/size of office/who knows what and that is not going to change regardless of how he is temporarily appeased. Every beat writer has stated that one way or the other, not a single one of them believes Harbaugh will be with the team long term. I think Jed believes it too so if I’m Jed I weigh the fact that I have an executive of the year and a HC of the year who can’t seem to work together and if I choose to keep the coach I will be right back in this position in a year or 2 but will have lost my executive of the year and will very likely lose my HC in a year or 2 anyway.
I prefer to keep both at least through their contracts but if I have to choose I choose stability over turnover.
I don’t understand how you can wonder about Harbaugh’s offensive productivity while knowing that Baalke decided against retaining Delanie Walker, Randy Moss and Ted Ginn. Baalke wanted to save some coin, evident when Harbaugh said after Seattle, “I want you all back and will fight for you regardless what the front office wants.” The 49er offensive weapons in ’13 were Boldin, Vernon and Gore. And it wasn’t hard to take those weapons away. Gore said, “Defenses know what’s coming.” Yeah, because we didn’t have enough offensive pieces. That’s not Harbaugh’s fault. He doesn’t control the purse or the final 53 man roster. Patton and McDonald were rookies, learning. Roman and Harbaugh were forced to throw to Bruce Miller, but you claim, “Baalke has built a roster very capable of winning a Super Bowl?” And somehow you imply this is Jim Harbaugh’s fault we haven’t?
In my opinion, in 2013, Harbaugh overcame Baalke’s decision not to retain at least one receiver who could take the top off the defense, and Harbaugh also overcame Baalke’s decision to let Delanie Walker go making the team desperately thin at the skill positions and when Crabtree got injured, things got understandably predictable. I don’t see how you can’t put those piece together.
Spit do you recall the INT in the SB that Moss didn’t even bother to raise his arms for, or even attempt to jump for?
Moss was a class A POS in that game.
Delanie and Ginn were largely replaceable and yes, priced out of the equation.
Baalke replaced Goldson for the same reason.
Cap Mgt is part of the structure every team needs to handle efficiently.
This is the heart of the debate, Harbaugh wanting the same pieces, Baalke looking to manage and improve the talent.
If Jim wants to be a GM, he should seek employment in that capacity.
He’s not a Scout, he’s not a talent evaluator.
It’s looking more and more like Jim doesn’t want to answer to anyone but his players.
His job is to Coach the team.
Didn’t Harbaugh praise Lockette as well Spit?
Stroking the media, saying what he feels they want to hear?
Bottom line, we don’t pass well.
Out goes Delanie and Ginn, in were options of Celek, VMcD, Kyle and Lockette, among others.
Sure injuries to Crabtree hurt, same later on with Patton.
I see this Offense as having too many under-utilized components.
Baalke gives the roster control to Jim.
The marriage was perceived to be a perfect union when Baalke delivered Jim.
I just want to know why the sudden discord?
Problems are really easy to create.
Answers the hard part.
The beat writers yearn fer the days of Singletron, Nolan, and Ericcson where they could parade around believing they were more knowledgeable than the HC/FO. Look at Cohnheads and Maiocco + all the national reporter “experts”. Last thing they want is a confident, cocky HC. Lol
That’s an important point 12th, regarding Frank.
Many of us have kvetched about the Red Zone failings, lack of passing imagination etc.
Crux of the issue, what is Harbsaugh’s answer to that question?
Is he sticking with Roman?
Is Roman doing what Jim asks him to do?
We may never get those answers but, that’s the perspective I’m looking at if from.
(We), Jim, Roman failed to out gun the opponent in the big games.
We lost our ability to run, we couldn’t deliver with the pass, we lost.
The conflict looks to me to be about who shapes the future course of (re)building the offense. For whatever reasons- cap issues, injuries, poor drafting, questionable player utilization/development, play calling- we didn’y git ‘er done. So- WHO is going to shape the future direction of the O?
Bottomline, NJ? You couldn’t put in a bottomless barrel.
Bottomless barrel in what regard Spit?
Passing game?
Miller was a pretty creative option to Delanie as well Spit.
He blocks as well and largely caught as well as Delanie too.
You have to keep churning a roster and getting younger each year.
Cap issues are averted when you don’t overextend too many guys at once.
All I’m asking is, how does Harbaugh want to improve the Offense?
Let me hear him answer that question and I’ll have a better understanding of what’s really the problem here.
Maybe he can’t answer it, maybe he can’t throw Roman under the bus.
Whatever it is, it’s a major distraction, and it’s dividing the team.
NJ, to your post above: Yes it is plausible JH is a control freak who somewhat underachieved or fell short of perfection. He has control of who plays and while they did darn good they did not win it all. Notice how our expectations are back to what they were when Bill W was our coach? The great coach drives the expectations by having produced good results consistently. Now we need to win it all every year. I’m good with that, nice problem to have huh? It’s also also quite likely Balky is a control freak who underachieved (see ’12 draft). And are they playing the same game? = gimme more power and control, put my rival in a box? Looks like it from my distant vantage point. It’s a power struggle or if not then surely a personality conflict. The reporters and us bloggers are just piling on to support their favorite dog in this fight. Normal. Bloggers tend to admit this a hell of a lot more than reporters (“I’m not biased; just reporting facts here”) Yeah right.
Spit sez Jed’s fucking around and not dealing with this yadayada. I don’t buy that. I also agree it may be too late between these two to patch things up sustainably. Maybe too late for the surgical intervention (psychological, psychiatric, artistic, creative) Carmen Policy recommended. Dunno. Maybe. What I see is Jed is taking the classic upper management “Wait and see” approach to a major conflict between his middle managers. Who will win the battle for public opinion now being waged? Balky / Maiocco did not win the recent round by floating the transparent Killion gossip/hit piece. Killion answers John Madden? Beyond weak. Smacks of desperation. I’m sure Jed got a big Hyuk out of that one. Really. So what can Jed do at this point now it’s out there airing in public?
Not much just yet. Take the kids to Disneyworld, enjoy life. Let the alpha males fight it out; see who wins. But winning the battle for pubic opinion is less than half the battle as important as it is (“Hey we’re the Forty Niners beloved of Bay Area / national sports. Fans love us”). I think Jimi leads there and time favors the HC IMO. But as mentioned by Madden and some of us peons: Who the hell would replace Hendrix? Jed does Not want to face the wrath of the ‘loving 49ers fans’ in dumping Hendrix for——anybody else—– because Jimi has already taken this team of underachieving sad sacks to within sight of the promised land. Three times, with more on order.
So that’s the unbeatable ace Jimi is holding and he knows it. Since Balky is not backing down (that we know of. From what?) Jimi need do nothing except his job and the pressure is on Trent to change (what?) or make a helpful move/comment. Just don’t use Killion, Maiocco or anyone else to do it. A simple statement like “Jimi Hendrix is my favorite HC of all time and I’m proud of the incredible guitar licks he’s laid down for our band”. “We’re looking forward to a long productive tour, etc, etc” Will do more than anything to boost BALKYS ratings in public eyes. But can Trent Balky manage it? It would be his best course for sake of sustainability.
Phil, for me, it’s hard to conceive a scenario where Trent doesn’t share the entire Draft Board with Jim about what’s he’s attempting to do.
We’ve relied on solid Defense, and a stout running game to remain competitive.
If you’re Jim and Trent, wouldn’t you BOTH benefit from a shared perspective on which way the roster goes?
I’ll assume Kaep wasn’t forced on Harbaugh.
Each player has to be discussed and weighted during Draft analysis.
Whether each guy is in complete agreement at the selection point or not, the GM holds that power.
Once done, Jim has the job of developing those guys.
AJJ, Kyle, Lockette, now Baldwin?
Patton is the next guy in line.
Last I saw him, he was wide open on the left sideline when Kaep threw into the end zone in Seattle.
Frustrating and aggrevating about sums it up for me Phil.
I’m starting to think Jimi wants “the trigger” on drafting and signing all the O players. I’m guessing that’s what this is about. Given recent track record getting useable players on O maybe a good idea.