In a fairly shocking (to me anyway) development, Blaine Gabbert is playing some decent quarterback these days. Granted, the Falcons and Bears aren’t quite the Seahawks or Cardinals, but even in those losses, the Niners looked better than the earlier losses to those respective teams. Not much, but yes, better. In the Cards case, the O moved pretty well but couldn’t score.
I guess i just thought Gabbert would look like he did last preseason, and frankly his whole Jacksonville career, where he floundered around and threw weird passes to no one in particular. Granted, being a starting QB for the Jaguars is no square deal, and he was under the gun wht whole time as the savior and such, but hew appears to be getting his game under control. Sure, he took some sacks he shouldn’t have, and this highly conservative offense is not reminding anyone of the 1988 Niners, but Gabby did finally hit a deep pass in stride to Torrey Smith for the game-winning TD in OT, and he did convert some nice 3rd and long plays. Things that were lacking in Kaepernick’s time at QB this season.
The line is playing nominally better, and Kilgore Trout is back. At TE, mind you. The run game, even with Gabby’s 44 yard scamper (75 total), was anemic. However, Shaun Draughn is proving to be a very solid find off of the scrap heap. He had a nice 26 yard catch and run on a 3rd and 5 play to go with his 1 yard TD run.
The Niners were outplayed, out-hit, and out-hustled for the most part, but the defense didn’t break given all the field position problems the offense presented. At times it looked like no one wanted to win this, but hey, a win is a win. Draft position be damned. This isn’t the NBA, where teams routinely tank for better draft spots. Football is way too easy to pick out the guys mailing it in. I have to give credit to Jimmy T for getting the guys somewhat ready for this, and to Trent Baalke for getting scrap-heap guys like Shaun Draughn, and Gerald Hodges, a couple of in-season finds that have helped this year.
Funny thing is, Gabbert was rated the worst BACKUP in the league at the start of the season. Now he’s 2-2 as a starter. Imagine that. I guess that $2 mill a year was well-spent.
Forty Niners Forever 
With all the needs we have I wonder what strategy we will take this year. I like the idea of drafting the best play available in the first 3 rounds but in our case I think we have to throw that out the window this year. We have to address everything on offense and just about everything on D. I like the idea of going for a QB with the first pick but I also like the idea of going with the OLine first too. I am also afraid that Hyde might not be durable for the long haul and we haven’t seen enough of Davis to even make a judgment. Then there is the WR position. This is all Baalke’s baby. He really needs to be let go his overall draft record sucks and after so many years what would make anyone feel this year will be different.
If Goff is there, I’d take him an a heartbeat. Then worry about the O line. And CB. And ILB. And WR. The defense seems to be getting better as the season progresses. We haven’t been blown out recently anyway. But my concern is was and will be the O line. We need Hyde back and we need blockers. Draughn looks good as the backup.
The thing is. the Niners have a ton of picks and can do a lot with them. Here’s where they stand after the VD trade. We can package a bunch to move up, or trade down and get more, but I think they should get Goff should he be there. If not, trade down and get O linemen. The D line is fairly solid. As is safety. Another pass rusher would be nice. Armstead needs to make the jump to consistent contributor. Everything behind the D line has been inconsistent.
1. First round: Own pick
2. Second round: Own pick
3. Third round: Own pick
4. Fourth round: Own pick
5. Fourth round: Comp pick (Mike Iupati)
6. Fifth round: Own pick
7. Fifth round: San Diego Chargers (2015 draft-day trade)
8. Fifth round: Comp pick (Perrish Cox)
9. Sixth round: Dallas Cowboys (2015 draft-day trade)
10. Sixth round: Denver Broncos (Vernon Davis trade)
11. Sixth round: Comp pick (Dan Skuta)
12. Sixth round: Comp pick (Frank Gore)
We need offensive help. Which is why I don’t want Baalke in charge of this draft.
If we can get Goff then I also believe we should get him but I don’t think we’ll get the chance. Not with teams like Cleveland in our way. If the Rams continue to play like they have they just might pick him up.
We could trade up. to get him. Yeah, Gabbert is still relatively young, but I’d love to have a viable back up.
Goff opens his hips too quickly. I causes his left foot to fly out. I wouldn’t draft him without him showing that he knows he needs to clean that up. That is a MAJOR flaw. Subject to change but my 1st pick is ILB/Ragland/Alabama.
NJ- Fat man in the middle? Billings/Baylor.
Damn Berger?
Was starting to think your picture was going to be plastered on milk cartons soon 😀
Yes, Billings from Baylor is on my list as well.
I also have ‘Bama DT A’Shawn Robinson 6’3″/312 inn my Car Man Watch List.
Check ILB Josh Forrest from KY out too.
Converted WR who could probably do some TE work, aka Delanie Walker?
Kid is 6’3″/255
Hard to believe he was a former WR at that size.
Said to have excellent speed too.
Also, watch for OLB Deion Jones from LSU.
He’s accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl but, he could be a worthy conversion candidate to ILB, as he’s only 6’1″/228.
WTF?
Car Man Watch List?
S/B Fat Man Watch List of course.
Eff’n phone….
I’m late. Windows 10 piece of crap has been on life support, somehow came back from the dead.
23-0
New thread is up.
Poor Buwwit has no one to play with in skeebers dank little corner of the Niner blogs.