I do need to go back and read the article about JG and 'dive into the statistics'. The first few games will let us know what we have in him. With the added weapons if Kyle does trust him in the passing game and JG starts delivering then, yes, I'd feel uber-comfortable with him
I expect it to take longer that the first few games to form any opinion of offense (ours or anyone's) this year. Most offenses are going to start looking out of sync, o line play especially will be iffy at best. I think that's the position group hurt most by not having pre-season games, or even a scrimmage against another opponent.
I am nearly infected with your optimism Riqonator. But I won't count on Richburg (or Pettis or Thomas or, even, Aiyuk until I see them actually performing. A few of those A's are provisional and should be B's imho. Witherspoon is "problematic" to say the least. At this stage he's like the Dante Pettis of Defense. He should be able to succeed, but...
The only argument I'd have is putting both secondary groups as a "B" or lower. Our pas rush makes them look better than they are. When our pass rush drops off (like the 2019 midseason injuries, or when refs threw holding out of the rulebook in the Super Bowl) teams had their way with our coverage.
This season it changes. With E-Man gaining experience, along with Moore and havng Cyprien on the back up, this group is very good. Last year we reode with Sherm and Spoon (before he got injured and fell off), with Ward coming back from injury and Moore an unknow quantity along with DJ Reed. Only Kwaun Williams was plus, at the start of the season
Yes, there are a lot of 'ifs' when we talk about the WR group. We just don't have a deep home run threat; Aiyuk could very well be the one but unless he shows it we still have to leave a question mark
A lot of potential in this team for sure. I do think the general opinion of Fred Warner has snowballed into an unrealistic expectation that he will soon be the best LB in the league. Speculation based on speculation based on speculation. He's very good but I think we need to take it down notch Clive.
Good article but I think two big IFs need to happen for these grades to translate into the season. IF Jimmy G can make a quantum leap from a lower tier top-15 QB to a 7-9 ranked one. That IF is pretty straight forward. It would justify a A- QB position grade. As the QB position goes, so goes the consistency of the passing game. The 49ers already run the ball like no other team.
The big IF on defense is IF Dee Ford can play the amount of snaps the CS would like to see. IF yes, that makes everything work, particularly without Buckner in the mix. If not, then a lot more pressure will be on players like Armstead and the rookie Kinlaw, and by extension, the secondary.
Although I love the addition of Williams, I believe the offense of line doesn’t deserve the grade provided. I’m wondering if we are going to eventually regret passing on Wirfs for Kinlaw. I’m all about having a dominant defensive front, but we appear to have a lot more depth there then we do interior OL. Our inability to score cost us a Super Bowl. I would have thought that following the same concept of dominating the trenches would exist on the other side as well. Hopefully, Kinlaw ends up being a beast and worthy of the selection.
QB - B. Jimmy not elite, boundary top 15 doesn't warrant an A. BDN solid backup, CJB waste of a roster spot IMO.
OL - C, to B+ when Richburg is healthy. Need better depth to be an A.
WRs - B-, B+ if Aiyuk outperforms Deebo. A if he's probowl caliber.
RBs - B, A if McKinnon becomes the player Shanahan wants him to be. For now, prowess is more scheme rather than RB talent.
TE - A++
FB - A++ (Hokit on PS too with Woerner capable)
DL - A+, stellar even without Buckner
LBs - A, really good 3 piece
CBs - B-, Sherm still great but slowing week by week. Witherspoon unreliable albeit talented. Moseley exceeded expectations, but now those are high again and he's not there yet... Depth unreliable too.
S - B+, Tartt and Ward are very good, Ward has serious injury history and depth not great (why is Cyprien on the PS ffs).
ST - A
OC - A+
DC - B+
HC - B+, game management, time management and lacking killer instinct in big games.
Super talented roster from top to bottom even the PS. Great write and breakdown. Injures are the only thing to stops us,well and the refs too
Before I go back and read the rest just have to say:
jimmy g is the most accurate explosive throwing qb in the league. With a better more reliable set of WRs this year, he will win NFL MVP
I do need to go back and read the article about JG and 'dive into the statistics'. The first few games will let us know what we have in him. With the added weapons if Kyle does trust him in the passing game and JG starts delivering then, yes, I'd feel uber-comfortable with him
I expect it to take longer that the first few games to form any opinion of offense (ours or anyone's) this year. Most offenses are going to start looking out of sync, o line play especially will be iffy at best. I think that's the position group hurt most by not having pre-season games, or even a scrimmage against another opponent.
I am nearly infected with your optimism Riqonator. But I won't count on Richburg (or Pettis or Thomas or, even, Aiyuk until I see them actually performing. A few of those A's are provisional and should be B's imho. Witherspoon is "problematic" to say the least. At this stage he's like the Dante Pettis of Defense. He should be able to succeed, but...
For sure - this entire season is almost like one massive bet by Shanalynch that all these players, or at least some, pan out
The only argument I'd have is putting both secondary groups as a "B" or lower. Our pas rush makes them look better than they are. When our pass rush drops off (like the 2019 midseason injuries, or when refs threw holding out of the rulebook in the Super Bowl) teams had their way with our coverage.
This season it changes. With E-Man gaining experience, along with Moore and havng Cyprien on the back up, this group is very good. Last year we reode with Sherm and Spoon (before he got injured and fell off), with Ward coming back from injury and Moore an unknow quantity along with DJ Reed. Only Kwaun Williams was plus, at the start of the season
Secondary is a B or slightly lower for me, Wide receiver group would be a C due to injuries and lack of production. Otherwise pretty good grades.
Yes, there are a lot of 'ifs' when we talk about the WR group. We just don't have a deep home run threat; Aiyuk could very well be the one but unless he shows it we still have to leave a question mark
I'd rate the Secondary the same - except Verrett the remaining guys: Sherm, Moseley, Tartt, Ward and even Cypren in the PS form a rock solid group
A touch of homerism in there with a A's thrown out like confetti but the write-up is just concise. QBs: I'd give B+ or A
Similarly, I'd give OL a B, if we go by the current setup, with Brunskill at Center
Surprised that you gave the RBs a B+, whereas I'd put them at A-
If DJ Jones and Gvens stay healthy throughout the season along with Ford, the DL would be the position group in the whole roster.
I noticed quite a lot of A's, too... then decided what the Hell, I'll go with it.
My theme for our Niners this year: Hangover my ass!!
Go Niners!!!
A lot of potential in this team for sure. I do think the general opinion of Fred Warner has snowballed into an unrealistic expectation that he will soon be the best LB in the league. Speculation based on speculation based on speculation. He's very good but I think we need to take it down notch Clive.
Good article but I think two big IFs need to happen for these grades to translate into the season. IF Jimmy G can make a quantum leap from a lower tier top-15 QB to a 7-9 ranked one. That IF is pretty straight forward. It would justify a A- QB position grade. As the QB position goes, so goes the consistency of the passing game. The 49ers already run the ball like no other team.
The big IF on defense is IF Dee Ford can play the amount of snaps the CS would like to see. IF yes, that makes everything work, particularly without Buckner in the mix. If not, then a lot more pressure will be on players like Armstead and the rookie Kinlaw, and by extension, the secondary.
Although I love the addition of Williams, I believe the offense of line doesn’t deserve the grade provided. I’m wondering if we are going to eventually regret passing on Wirfs for Kinlaw. I’m all about having a dominant defensive front, but we appear to have a lot more depth there then we do interior OL. Our inability to score cost us a Super Bowl. I would have thought that following the same concept of dominating the trenches would exist on the other side as well. Hopefully, Kinlaw ends up being a beast and worthy of the selection.
Hmm. Too many A's me thinks.
QB - B. Jimmy not elite, boundary top 15 doesn't warrant an A. BDN solid backup, CJB waste of a roster spot IMO.
OL - C, to B+ when Richburg is healthy. Need better depth to be an A.
WRs - B-, B+ if Aiyuk outperforms Deebo. A if he's probowl caliber.
RBs - B, A if McKinnon becomes the player Shanahan wants him to be. For now, prowess is more scheme rather than RB talent.
TE - A++
FB - A++ (Hokit on PS too with Woerner capable)
DL - A+, stellar even without Buckner
LBs - A, really good 3 piece
CBs - B-, Sherm still great but slowing week by week. Witherspoon unreliable albeit talented. Moseley exceeded expectations, but now those are high again and he's not there yet... Depth unreliable too.
S - B+, Tartt and Ward are very good, Ward has serious injury history and depth not great (why is Cyprien on the PS ffs).
ST - A
OC - A+
DC - B+
HC - B+, game management, time management and lacking killer instinct in big games.
We might be airing it out more this season, me thinks...& our ground game should be even better...
Wait!?! Riqo giving Jimmy an A- this seems like a well needed turn in character 🥰