Ahhh, the trading season got an early jolt with the news that Young Sir Alex Smith was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Washington Redskins. Smith, who bears the brunt of KC’s dismal 1-5 playoff record under the tutelage of Andy (close, but no Monica) Reid, made the playoffs 4 of the 5 years that Smith was the starter.
As Young Sir Alex had here, he had a ton of supporters and detractors railing in the blogosphere regarding his greatness, his game-managey-ness, his close calls, and his ultimate failure to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl. His tenure in SF was a rollercoaster ride of rookie nerves, a boatload of coordinators, and the revival under Coach Harbaugh and an NFC championship game for a brief shining moment of glory in 2011 before Kyle Williams decided to imprint his name next to Preston Riley as the most hated 49er in fandom. The next year of course, Alex was benched after being concussed while having his best season as a Niner. Smith was traded after that 2012 season, and the Colin Kaepernick Experience came and went like a fart in the wind.
Funny thing is, Smith just had his best season as a pro in KC this season. He threw for over 4,000 yards, had a 67% completion percentage, led the NFL with a 104.7 QBR, and 26 TDs to 5 picks. Of course, as is the problem, when the playoffs rolled around, he came up short. Of course, he threw 2 TDs, no picks, and competed 72% of his attempts (24-33) so it’s kinda hard to pin that on him. Much like the playoff game of 2013 against the Colts where KC blew a 38-10 lead. Smith threw for 378, 4 TDs, 0 picks, and 30-46 (65%).
So, the Redskins get a guy with a solid rep, a solid body of work, but some questions around the playoff shortcomings. Frankly, Alex seems snakebit. The Indy game saw Jamal Charles get hurt, and all the DBs go down in the 2nd half. That doesn’t excuse the 3-and-outs engineered by Alex, but it also shines a light on the coaching staff. Andy Reid should be equally maligned for the playoff failings. Especially when the Titans, who were shit against the run, didn’t have to defend it in the latest playoff loss. Reid should have kept pounding the run to burn clock and to not let Tenn back into the game.
I’m surprised Andy still has a job.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
You mentioned Williams, and Riley, but Craig’s fumble against the Giants was just as bad. Those 3 mistakes costed us 3 more fucking trips to the SB. It just goes to show all it takes is one wrong move.
Dilly, Dilly!
I too found the Craig fumble the most depressing play in 3-Peat history Winder.
Alex is likely a better fit coming from Reid’s WCO to Gruden.
Have to wonder just how much Cousins was seeking in terms of money too.
Just hope Paraag doesn’t hose our chances of keeping Jimmy onboard for the next 7-10yrs too.
One untimely blink of cheapness could put us right back into the pit of misery.
Yeah, I am worried about that too.
Just hope they get Jimmy wrapped up before another QB (Cousins) gets a new deal Winder.
Cousins could end up costing us some serious Cap Cash.
The only reason I don’t equate Craig with those other 2 is that Craig had a solid career otherwise. The other two not so much. I still can’t forgive Craig for blaming the fumble on Guy McIntyre, but, well, yeah that one hurt as well.
I threw a lawn chair over my friend’s fence and it bounced 250’ down a cliff after that game. Up there with the ‘83 playoffs where we were robbed by the refs. Woulda won that game as well.
That 4th quarter was vintage Montana. It was the biggest fix game of my memory.
I give the Giants credit for causing that fumble and a bad play call by the coach. The Giants were a great run stuffing team and had a loaded box. We ran off guard. Giants read it and had a double A gap blitz called. McIntyre had little chance to stop the penetration. It forced Craig slightly to the left and Young put the ball near the hip instead of in the bread basket. I was saying before the snap, “do not run between the tackles there is not chance of success”. Boom, fumble and I started yelling at the coaches. Our players were fucked by a terrible play call. The Giants did what they were known for and we played right into it.
Precisely the reason for my love/hate relationship with Parcells Berger.
Much like his understudy, Belichick, they never get short changed on strategy.
Checkers and Chess……
Yeah, the Giants had one of the best defenses that year. But even so you don’t fumble in those games. Craig wasn’t as bad as Tyler but still he fumbled quite a bit.
interesting
Bradley Bozeman stands a solid 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds, and has played both guard and center at Alabama, setting into the Center position during Bama’s title-winning run. He had a solid Senior Bowl and looks set to be a steady pick in Rounds 2 or 3. He plays with physicality and a mean streak, and can instantly upgrade possibly the Niners’ weakest position.
Why This Makes Sense
Although the 49ers offensive line showed signs of improvement, thanks to Jimmy Garoppolo’s fast decision making and his leadership, Daniel Kilgore ranked a low 24th for NFL centers according to Pro Football Focus and can be upgraded. The Niners have met with Bozeman, whose versatility will appeal to Kyle Shanahan, and may be hard to resist if available.
I still like Kilgore but Bozeman might be a good pick for G/C
Totally agree, the more good OL’s we can pick up the better and it really doens’t matter what round we pickem,
Kilgore’s play has fallen off lately. Whether that is because our guards suck and he’s trying to cover for them, or he’s declining is up for debate, but I like depth so he works in the 3rd.
Yup or …
Maybe we will settle for this guy
Tim Settle*, NT, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-3. Weight: 335.
Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
Projected Round (2018): 1-3.
1/13/18: Settle put together a strong 2017 season and was one of the better defenders on a tough Virginia Tech defense. The big nose tackle totaled 36 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, and one pass batted for the year. That was a big improvement over his 2016 season when he had 17 tackles and no sacks. The physical defender is probably more likely to be a second-day pick in the 2018 NFL Draft given how nose tackles are downgraded
some CB help in free agency
Rashaan Melvin, CB, Colts. Age: 28.
Rashaan Melvin came out of nowhere to become Indianapolis’ top cornerback in 2017. Melvin doesn’t have much of a track record of success, but he’s only 28 and could continue to play well.
Bryce Callahan (RFA), CB, Bears. Age: 26.
Bryce Callahan is a skilled slot cornerback who has improved each year in the NFL. He’s only 26, so he should continue to get better. He’ll likely command a big contract in the near future.
Trumaine Johnson, CB, Rams. Age: 28.
suffered some sort of leg injury in Week 2 this season, and he was never really the same afterward. This past season was Johnson’s worst in a while, but he’s very talented and can rebound in 2018
Patrick Robinson, CB,
Patrick Robinson has undergone an up-and-down career ever since being the 32nd-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. This past season was the ultimate up, as Robinson was absolutely prolific. He was one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, clamping down against everyone in coverage. Robinson perhaps is a late bloomer, though he’ll turn 31 in September.
Any chance he’s there in 2 ?
Christian Kirk*, WR, Texas A&M
Height: 5-11. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.43.
Projected Round (2018): 1-3.
1/13/18: Kirk made 71 catches for 919 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2017. He also produced some big kick and punt returns. Versus Arkansas, Kirk carried Texas A&M to a win with five catches for 110 yards with two touchdowns and a kickoff returned for a touchdown.
Kirk saw a lot of double coverage his direction in 2017, plus quarterback Kelly Mond struggled to get Kirk the ball. As a result, some teams are down on Kirk. A few teams said they had him graded as a 2/3 – a second- to third-rounder. One team said they had him as late in the first round, but another said Round 3. Kirk is a fast play-maker who really competes and has special potential for the NFL.
7/17/17: Kirk played well in 2016 despite inconsistent quarterback play from the Aggies. He had 83 receptions for 928 yards with nine touchdowns while splitting targets with wideouts like Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones.
Kirk had an outstanding freshman debut for Texas A&M and earned playing time over more veteran receivers who had previous produced for the Aggies. In 2015, Kirk caught 80 passes for 1,009 yards with seven touchdowns. He averaged only 19.3 yards per kick return, but averaged 24.4 yards per punt returns with two touchdowns. Kirk is a fast, explosive play-maker. Some scouting sources have said there nickname for Kirk is “Baby Beckham” in reference to Odell Beckham Jr.
He should be there in the 2nd round. And I like Callahan and Melvin.
There are a ton of FA WRs so i wouldn’t mind going that way for depth. We can do a lot better than Aldrick Robinson.
New thread is up . . .