Well, it looks like the bellwether is gone. Frank Gore is reportedly ready to sign a deal with the Eagles. A little disconcerting to me, but hey, them’s the breaks. The guy paid his dues, and got handsomely rewarded for his efforts, but like I said earlier today, if he wants to get one more big payday, better someone else than us. The 49ers will hopefully have Carlos Hyde and Kendall Hunter back at full strength to get the run game going. I thought Tomsula would maybe be a tipping point, as he and Gore had a pretty solid relationship, but again, he wants to get a big deal, go for it. It is a business after all, as much as I’d have liked to see him play out his career here. Looks like we are going to spend one of these draft picks on a n RB now. They seem to be coming back into vogue.
Much more intriguing to me is the fact that the Niners appear to be trying hard to get Anquan Boldin’s ex-teammate Torrey Smith. He’s a bona fide deep threat and would immediately elevate the other WRs on the team. These guys all talk about the run, but with Iupati certainly on the way out, it would be a good time to get more versatile with our blockers. Move a little bit away from the road-grader types and get a more agile quick line. I wonder how the blocking scheme will change this year, if at all.
All in all, I’m sad to see Frank go, but the ball is in his court. If he really wants to stay, he can. I’m also sure the Niners won’t have the best offer on the table.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Something I don;t understand at all is why Gore’s blocking went totally south last year.
I’m fine with Frank leaving, he looked slow last year and another year isn’t gonna speed him up. The more concerning thing is that I think he was going for leaving a sinking ship as much as he was going for one last payday….
Absolutely agree with both points…
Torrey Smith a done deal?
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/08/torrey-smith-says-goodbye-to-baltimore/
I’m just glad I’m not a season ticket holder.
Frank is a great runner and a great blocker. IMO, he is OK in the passing game but only that. He too often was in a bad position for a dump off. I remember back when we had Brian Westbrook and Singletary wouldn’t play him. I thought he was superior to Gore in his instincts for the passing game. When he finally did play, and even started a few games, he showed that to be true. He found spots that made the dump off easy, something Gore does not do. I remember one play when he ran a Circle route out of the backfield and the LB saw it and sat on the route. Westbrook read it and instead went down field for Alex to get an easy completion for about a 50 yard TD. I guarantee Gore would not have adjusted that route. Frank is a good pass blocker but his route instincts are usually not that great. If he goes to Philly, Chip Kelley will give him a crash course on that part of the game. It’s not like Frank had very good passing game coaches here in SF for most of his career.
There was a play last year that got me on the phone to NJ and Del. We were at about the 5 or 10 yard line and it was 3rd down. IIRC, it was the penultimate game on the schedule. Kap goes back to throw and nobody is open. Gore and a defender are in front of Kap. If Gore moves forward he is wide open for a dump off and a big gain. If he blocks the guy next to him Kap gats a big gain. Frank did neither and when Kap runs he is tackled for a minimal gain. What the heck was Frank thinking? I got on the phone to Del and NJ to bitch and point out to watch the replay to see what I am talking about. Del told me I was seeing things and then rewound the DVR to see for himself before agreeing. I was pissed. Of course we punted and ended up losing a close game.
I can’t tell you how many times the reads were to one side of the field and Gore would get to a dump off spot where it was difficult for Kap to locate him. He is a great football player and one of my all-time favorites but his passing game instincts were not so good as compared to players who would help their QBs out of a jam in those situations. I think the biggest problem was that Frank fell victim to our coaches not knowing how to scheme an effective passing game, therefore not coaching Frank up.
One good reason to root for Gore to go to Philly is that if he is the feature back there he will have a better chance for the Hall of Fame than if he stays here. Kelley’s play calling is solid. I’d even say great if it wasn’t for that hurry up and going for it too often on 4th down. He will get Frank another year or two of 1,000 yard seasons and teach him what to do in the passing game. Frank’s football acumen is off the charts and will eat up the coaching. A couple of good years on the east coast and that should give him a lot more votes than only being on the west coast. I love Frank and would love to see him in the HOF. At this point I’m for anything that helps him get there.
Unca- I might have a comment in your spam filter. There isn’t anything bad on the post, it just disappeared.
Me too.
RB Jeremy Langford from MI St could be an ideal answer for us now.
Runs in the 4.4s.
See what plays out come Draft Weekend.
“Runs low to the ground with excellent pad level and energetic feet to get the most out of every touch. Displayed improved vision, balance and finishing ability as a senior.
Langford is a workhorse type with a hard-nosed, no-nonsense style of running the ball, getting stronger as the game progresses. Has a little shake-and-bake to him to extend runs, keeping his legs pumping through contact.
Langford really shines in areas where most young backs struggle like pass protection, reliability in the screen game and also the ability to get stronger and better as the game goes on.”
RB looks to be a more important pick, maybe 2nd or 3rd round
NJ- Weren’t we talking politics yesterday. I’ll give you my perspective of America these days. Congress is like two drunks arguing a bar bill on the Titanic. I wish I was joking.
Berger I’m tired of Politics.
Nothing gets done with these clowns.
Big business runs this Country.
We taxpayers just grab our ankles and pray for mercy.
Absolutely criminal IMO.
My State is run by money grabbing, favor seeking, big money A$$-kissing, scumbags.
The “whats in it for me” Administration.
NJ = The ‘Whats in it for Me’ Administration.
In conclusion……a massive BLEEP!
BLEEP-EFF’N Right Nipper!
As much as I’m looking forward to motorcycle riding season to start out here, the roads are so God-awful bad, it’s likely a death wish waiting to happen.
While Gov Chrisite is chasing his next campaign donor, the State he’s been elected to run is circling the drain.
Worthless POS.
Move to Reno. Most of the locals like it here.
So now theirs a rumor Kap is being shopped & the Eagles are interested!
WTF is up with this organization anymore?
You sign him to what 6/126? And you want to move on in the 1st year it kicks in?and take a 10 mil cap hit as well? Plus a weak QB draft, that won’t net a stud starter replacement.
Maybe it’s all about cleaning up the mess that the org feels Harbaugh created in the 1st place,drafting Kap to begin with and they just want to start fresh, which would be BS ,cause I feel he is a talent, but with no weapons to utilize his potential.
CSNBA just reported that Kap is not on the trade block. That rumor is wrong according to them.
Now that’s some serious news….
Could it be that Kurt Warner isn’t impressed?
What do you know of this kid from Boise State Berger ?
WR Matt Miller – 6’3″/213
Excellent numbers – Coming off ankle surgery, which explains the 5 games played this year.
Year GP REC YDS YPC TD
2010 RS – – – –
2011 13 62 679 11.0 9
2012 13 66 769 11.7 5
2013 13 88 1,140 13.0 12
2014 5 28 461 16.5 3
Totals 44 244 3,049 12.5 29
7th round pick or UFA offer. The player you might want from Boise is the RB.
Why not?
Those numbers are off the hook.
Slot guy?
Couldn’t find any definitive 40 numbers on him.
I think the Boise Pro Day is coming up this week or next.
Curious to see what he looks like.
Jesus. When it rains it pours.
Willis to retire ‘per report.’
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/3/9/8175019/patrick-willis-san-francisco-49ers-retire
unreal.
My favorite two Niners are Justin Smith and Patrick Willis. Both might retire this week? Please say it ain’t so!
Guess Wilhoite stays?
Yeah per another report justin smith will retire as well. Bowman better be full speed this season.
double whammy, Borland and Bowman it is.
Smith I understand but Willis? What gives? Was his injury not going to heal 100% Does he hate the new staff? Is he tired of football?
Hope he tells it like it is.
He’s got religion. He’s found the Lord.
Oh BLEEP IT!
Did I mention Frank Gore is my 3rd favorite Niner. Jeesh, all three, Cowboy, PWilly and Frank will be gone in a day or two. NEXT!!!
And Crabtree!!!!!…….Lol.
Good Riddance!
Macon says Willis has been posting spiritual stuff lately, religion got him?
http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/sources-49ers-lb-willis-strongly-considering-retirement
Maiocco. Auto correct sucks.
Now lets bend down and pray for the Niners. Please Lord no flood, no earthquake!
Pestilence OK?
A can of Raid will handle that.
With the Willis news I decided to take some action. So while I was standing on the ledge I got some fresh air. With the fresh air it came to me that we actually have a silver lining in all of this. Yesterday we were up against the cap, tomorrow we will not be up against the cap! It’s amazing what a little fresh air can do for an attitude!
Check back with me with your attitude after your next whiff of fresh air is filled with the stench of news when Kaepernick gets traded to the Bears for Jay Cutler and a pick or two.
How about a pic of Dennis feeding his duck friends.
So much for “QUIET TIME” per last thread!
Willis retiring gives up cap room, right? That’s probably more help than he could’ve given on the field this year. Borland is a stud, this isn’t a big deal
Borland can’t cover for shit. That’s the problem. Willis was a beast covering TEs.
Smith hasn’t committed to retirement. Per his response to the reports.
Just a guess, but if theirs talk about cutting back Cowboys work load with more DL rotation, he might come back.
Now Gore is ‘reconsidering’ signing with the Eagles.
Weird shit going on out there.
What in the wide wide world of sports in going on around here?
It gets worse:
http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/49ers-bruce-miller-arrested-spousal-battery
And then there’s this:
http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/dahl-restructures-deal-return-49ers
Thank God, at least we have Dahl.
*Sarcastic Golf Clap*
This may be the roughest 48 hours in 49er history. We’re looking at losing Cowboy, Willis, Gore, Crabs, Iupati and Miller in one ‘Swell foop’.
And Bowman still questionable long term with the knee, and Reid with the concussions.
Starting to feel like the Fall is going to be a real vicious mother fucker this year.
That’s less of a loss than they had last season, just saying.
Call it a youth movement.
Our window was open, we didn’t deliver.
This is the Draft Class to rebuild the trenches.
Glass half full/half empty.
Reload.
Move forward.
Patrick is the thud heard ’round the World IMO.
No one saw that coming.
If Baalke delivers Torrey as anticipated, our need for a WR at Pick 15 is diminished, substantially.
I’m now moving DE/OLB ‘Bud’ Dupree into slot 15.
Or, I’m thinking ‘Fat Man in the Middle’ to protect the LBs.
Shelton could get to us as well.
Though I’ve cooled on him somewhat, he’s a Fat Man’s Fat Man and, a LBs BFF.
Berger here’s a comparison for you –
DE/OLB Alvin ‘Bud’ Dupree – 6’4″/269/4.56 –
47 games – 247 TKLs/37 TFL/23.5 Sacks
OLB Vic Beasley – 6’3″/246/4.53 –
48 games – 98 TKLs/52.5 TFL/33 Sacks
Very similar guys.
Vic likely goes Top 10
Dupree would be a nice option at 15.
Here’s a guy that could be had as a potential fill in for Patrick –
He’s a Mid RD guy at this point as well –
ILB Ben Heeney – KS – 6’0″/231/4.59 – Had one of the better times in the Cone Drill at Indy too, good indication of change of direction skills.
“Good play speed with fast, aggressive pursuit angles. The switch is always flipped on the field, displaying a motor that never quits and chasing down plays he has no business being involved in. Smart, instinctive player who read/reacts well, breaking down well on the move. Locks onto his target quickly and doesn’t make many mistakes. Physical wrap-up tackler and throws his body around with toughness to take the punishment. Plays pissed off with a chip and violent, competitive nature. Floats well in coverage to jump passes and get his hands on the ball (eight passes defended, four interceptions in his career). Experienced with man coverage responsibilities and was often the only linebacker on the field, rarely leaving the field. Physical downhill blitzer. Try-hard motor and leaves it all out on the field with resilient mentality. Handled adversity with a handful of different coaches in his four seasons at Kansas (9-39 record over that stretch).
Productive career — led the Jayhawks in tackles each of the past three seasons, and led the NCAA in solo tackles in 2014 with 7.3 per game.”
This guy sounds good.
He’s what I’d call a ‘Junkyard Dog’ Berger.
Short arms, kinda small but, he’s all over the field apparently.
I watched the Combine Drills and, though it was hard to know for sure, NFLN caught Tomsula using binoculars while Heeney was running the Drills.
We’ll see what happens next month….
If Baalke added Heeney and Kendricks, you’d have a pair of 6′ LBs that rarely miss a tackle.
Might need more beef on the Dline to protect them however.
Neither guy stands much of a chance if an OG gets them in the crosshairs.
There’s talk of Bowman being threatened regarding his ability to pass his physical now.
Like, what else can go wrong this week?
By comparison, Bobby Wagner in Seattle is a 6′ LB himself.
I think it’s possible to get away with smaller guys Inside if they’re smart players.
It’s probably a little more critical that the OLB position be taller and rangier these days.
After looking it up, Patrick is listed at 6’1″.
For some reason I thought he was taller?
Roughest Monday for the Niners since the Monday after losing the SBowl in NewOrleans. This organization has a “kick me” sign lit 24/7 on the Levi’s Jumbotrons…
I’m hopeful this is just one of those ‘adjustment periods’ all teams go through Snarkk.
Baalke has been pretty thorough the past couple of years, putting some depth on the roster.
With the pending losses coming on Defense, I’m hoping he’s got some guys ready to step up.
One guy that’s overdue is Nick Moody. Wasn’t very impressed with his open field tackling however.
Hope that improves.
See what happens…
The good news is that Moody gets there, but you’re right, he did miss a lot of tackles. Shore that up and he could be a good option for providing depth at the position.
The Merc’s Tim K thinks he’s hot shit. What an ego maniac! He’s calling out Jed York to do something about Miller as if the Niners don’t have enough problems.
Miller is a misdemeanor not a felony I think. Not cool too but big difference.
Certainly not the best of weeks around 4949 centennial blvd.
Yeah Willis made it official. His toe apparently didn’t heal properly and as Nipper said, he found God in a big way.
Came out of left field, last year Willis said he had 5 or 6 more good years of football left in him.
Willis and Gore are both on the cusp of Hall of Fame credentials, not sure either makes it but both deserve to.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/8-players-who-should-just-retire/ar-AA9yyxe
gore made it clear he would sign the eagles offer “this week” so we would have a chance to match it ! i love frank gore !!!
Gore to the Colts.
If Frank goes to Indy the Colts will be my 2nd favorite team. I’ll be rooting for Frank in a big way!
Go Frank……I agree.
berger- me too. Definitely a WTF series of events the last couple of days. It’s kinda funny to me, no matter what happens injuries or players jumping ship, I still think we’ll play some pretty tough football this year.One thing about hope is that it don’t cost nothin and until it’s dashed so bad that no more exists it keeps coming back. Ask any lifelong Giants fan.
gore most likely got more from indy than we could afford to pay. i do think we have a good combo with hyde and hunter
We offered 1 year 4 mil guaranteed. Indy offered 3 yrs, 12 mil, 7.5 guaranteed.
Now I’m hearing 8.5 mil guaranteed.
too bad about willis and bowmann. both look to be gone . the good news is we didn’t seem to fall off much when they were out most of last year ! wilhoite , borland and llynch were all good picks for us . thank god for baalke
i’m happy to have dockett on board ! also smith for crabtree would be a slight upgrade and add some much needed speed the the WR position!
Bradford to the eagles for Foles? Ngata to the Lions for draft picks? Jimmy Graham to Seattle for Max Unger? What the fuck is going on? There haven’t been this many trades in the past 15 years combined.
Graham to Seattle really sucks. Looks like we just got another need on defense.
Yeah, Gore took the money and ran. Interesting they threw that much money at a 31 year old guy.
Yeah, Gore took the money and ran. Interesting that they threw that much money at a 31 year old guy. Hope he does well there.
Sucks losing Gore, Willis, and possibly J Smith.
What’s funny is the folks saying that this is because Harbaugh left. Yeah, right. If Harbs had come back, Willis would have magically fixed his toe, and the front office would have ponied up the money for Gore.
Well, the good news is Bullit finally snapped. Hyuk!
Does anybody read that blog anymore? You passed it in world wide popularity about two weeks ago. When I came over you were at 5.2 millionth and Skeebs was at about 400K. Today you are at about 1.52 mil and he is at about 1.75 mil. Just because they are loud about Jed is a jerk amongst themselves they think they are holy. I think we have proved most fans don’t want to hear that shit. Even a numbers person should be able to figure that out.
It’s just boring.
You going over there and commenting is probably saving their ratings.
Chuck needs his foil Bullit, he’s addicted.
Wel it is pretty funny to get buwwit all bent out of shape.
Bullit is so bent on proving people wrong with what they said years ago he has no concept of reality. People hate that shit and Bullit just loves shoveling it in their faces. He is driving everybody away from there that Skeebers didn’t drive away with his anti Jed crusade. Those two make a classic Dumb and Dumber team. They deserve each other.
I would ask what they are talking about this week but I don’t care. Like 12th said, boring. At least they probably still have Phil and NoFear. Good for them.
We’ve had some bad news with Cowboy, Willis and Gore. Cowboy is not gone yet. It seems his body isn’t recovering this off season. Maybe it s just time for him to hang it up. Sad for me because he is my favorite Niner. We figured Gore was gone for the last couple of years. We offered him a decent amount for a 32 year old. Indy over paid and away he went. PWilly was just a bummer. It’s the same injury that made Jack Lambert retire.
On the bright side, Dial looks ready to shine and with Docket, Tank and Jerro-Eddy we should be OK at the other spot. I would have never cut McDonald but the heat was on in the NFL last year for penalizing that kind of stuff.
At LB, it is probably our deepest position. Hyde was drafted as a feature back, it is time to feature him. He is taking over fore Gore in his 2nd year kind of like Gore did in his 2nd year for Barlow.
I feel losing Crabtree and Iupati as an addition by subtraction and hope we have a coach that uses speed at the WR position for the first time since Erickson. We just picked up two fast WRs.
I think we could have a very good year next year. Just as I was starting to actually feel good about it Seattle went and got Jimmy Graham. Oh well, GO NINERS!!!
Jimmy Graham is soft Berger.
Let’s see how much he enjoys blocking for Lynch.
Smack him around and he’s done.
The best part of that deal is they gave up Unger and a 1st RD Pick.
I particularly enjoyed the ‘Frank spurns Philly’ move, followed by Chip picking up a broken Sam Bradford and parting with Picks to do so.
Tell me how exactly, does that put him in any better position to move up for Mariota?
Omg lol you guys are funny. The best part is that the three stooges over there are the same clowns that were the staunchest nolan supporters. For all those years lol
This offseason is more troubling than the pathetic 8-8 season.
Yeah I should take another sabbatical. But my snide nature can’t resist.
This sure is some extra dose of crazy this week.
The concern for me is gore Willis and smith were the vet leaders.
With gh gone Kappy is going to have to up his game a little and lay off the stupid twitter wars with fans.
We gained a Pit Bull with Dockett Chuck.
Anquan is quite capable of filling some big shoes in the locker room as well.
Thus far, we exchanged Iupati for Torrey.
Pretty much a Cap wash I’d say.
This Draft is setting up for a heavy dose of Defensive youth infusion now.
Perhaps he can show the newbies where one can get nice tattoo. That would be a nice orientation. Show them his shoe collection too.
With Cox making a visit to DC tomorrow, it might mean Culliver could be retained?
Interesting developments today.
Haven’t heard a peep about Crabtree interest on the open Market either.
Comp Picks are coming for us next year too, so long as Baalke loses more than he gains of course.
Talk of us pursuing Bush won’t count in that formula either, as he was released, along with Dockett.
There’s a method to this madness.
Could there be viable Trade partner in NOLA for Vernon now?
I’m sure Crabtree would love the Offense in NOLA too.
I heard a rumor that Crabs might be going to Buffalo.
Makes no difference to me where he goes, just go 😀
Comp Pick City for me 12th.
If we’re doing a roster overhaul, let’m all go.
We already shot our load with the current crop anyway.
Picks are cheap but, they’ll take awhile to produce in most cases.
Stock up, see what you can find.
I’m just along for the ride in this process, like the rest of you.
It’s a Faith Thing.
I read the Vikings are interested in knuckles NJ.
Agree about Crabs, see ya buddy.
Oops, replied to you on the wrong entry above –
NJ- IMO, we were going backward with Harbaugh. He had the best roster in football for 3 years and did not win a Super Bowl. He sure wasn’t going to get it done with this lesser roster. We got two speed WRs and he doesn’t utilize that tool. I’m happy with the new staff, I sure hope they use the speed the 2 new WRs bring. I feel we have a chance now that I was feeling we were starting to lose with Harbaugh.
Comes down to being a 9er Fan Berger –
I’m here for the duration, as frustrating as it is, we’re all hoping for the best.
Agree, we got close but, that ain’t good enough.
Breaks my heart to Patrick dealing with this injury issue too.
He, Frank and several other guys on this team deserved a better outcome.
We’ll see where the new pieces take us.
How surreal is this Kaep on the Trade Block rumor?
After seeing what Chip Kelly did today, I gotta wonder, just a little, how he figures to have a shot at Mariota when he gave up Picks to obtain Bradford?
Maybe there’s a Basketball-type Trade Deal swirling around the War Room floors behind the scenes?
Several teams talking about moving around the Draft Board in April?
Kaep in the mix somewhere?
This is looking like a real Whos-gonna-do-it ????
My money is on the NYJ if Mariota gets to them.
Bradford to NYJ plus other amenities perhaps?
Yeah, the Bradford deal makes no sense unless Chip wants to package him in some kind of trade day blockbuster. Even still, Foles is worth more in that role.
You know it’s bad when Dennis fails to show up for his two cents.
Jake Locker retired?
Heard nothing about Crabs.
Stevie J will be cut today.
Shit, I’d think the Raiders would at least kick the tires on Crabs. They are flush with cap space and could afford him. Buffalo? The home for wayward niners? Much like Seattle a couple years ago.
Roman made Crabs a #1 WR in SF. Maybe that is the interest. Would any other team be willing to make him a #1? If so, probably very few.
Locker retired? The thrill is gone? Thanks, Obama. Jesus. Think I’ll take the next 50 years of. Must be nice to be able to retire at 26 with a truckload of money.
Chip Kelley was making sense to me until the Bradford trade. Not sure what is going on. I don’t care about Philly but it is interesting to follow to see where the Chip falls.
Yeah, the talk of Chip getting Mariotta seems far-fetched if nigh impossible. Unless Chip trades every pick to the Jags a la Ditka.
A whole lot of Chip here!
Nip, the chips will fall where they may.
Don’t forget the dip. Guacamole for me.
Well, so much for Skeebs blog. Phil had gone into full stalker mode. Skeebs proceeds to rattle off the litany of player who left. And Billir say the team is the same as last year except for the coaches.
Except for Gore leaving, Willis retiring, Iupati leaving, and more possible player movement. Jesus. Soon it’ll be just Phil, Bullit and Skeebs.
New thread is up . . .