Garoppolo vs. Mullens: Not a QB Controversy...
Steelers v. Titans postponed after multiple positive COVID-19 tests + the Mullens v. JG argument.
San Francisco 49ers/YouTube - Kyle Shanahan’s Wednesday Presser previews the Eagles SNF Matchup.
(Santa Clara) - As the 49ers gear up for their Sunday Night matchup vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, a ton of parts shift around the NFL - namely, the first official COVID-19 outbreak has begun in these in-market bubbles.
It’s ironic these tests were in Nashville, since if you remember, during the offseason the 49ers held workouts in Nashville and someone had tested positive then as well.
Steelers and Titans has been postponed to either Monday or Tuesday as contact-tracing and testing begin to ensure the virus does not spread. This is the biggest test the NFL will have with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic - can they contain this?
Before we get around to the rest of the article: I have an announcement. After I, along with many others I assume, prodded Substack, they have added a Chronological Sort of comments. This is basically sorting comments by oldest, which I know was a problem with some for the commenting under. Sort by chronological to get a similar-to-NN type commenting experience.
Around The NFL
Earl Thomas watch: After it was reported the Texans had given up pursuit, reports have come out saying that is not the case and they are still interested in signing him.
Cardinals are working out former Broncos safety TJ Ward.
The NFLPA president, JC Tretter, has called for mandatory use of grass fields in light of the terrible injuries occurring on turf this season - the 49ers have been hit the hardest.
Michael Thomas, the superstar WR for the New Orleans Saints returned to practice today - a relief for a team that has been questionable at best without him.
Enough of the league talk - let’s get to 49ers news.
Deebo Samuel practiced today, a welcome sight for the first time this season - Samuel returning to the lineup would be a boon to a team hurting from injuries. He has a chance to play Sunday.
George Kittle also returned to practice, and looked healthy - he will play Sunday barring any setbacks.
Ahkello Witherspoon also returned to practice and was full go with his hamstring injury.
Jerick McKinnon’s rib injury seems to not have affected him - he practiced fully today as well.
For the bad news:
K’Waun Williams did not practice with a hip injury.
Jimmy Garoppolo still did not practice with his high ankle sprain - which does not bode well for his chances to play on Sunday. He is not ruled out, and as a QB is likelier to play injured than other positions - but it’s not looking good for Sunday.
Emmanuel Moseley did not practice - he is dealing with a concussion.
Dre Greenlaw joined him as inactive for today. Greenlaw has a quad contusion he suffered in the Jets game.
Raheem Mostert also did not practice with his MCL sprain.
The worst news: Dee Ford was officially placed on IR with his neck/back injury, and is out until Week 8 at minimum. This was coming but still is a big blow, as Ford originally was thought to be healthy at the beginning of the season. Joining him is special teams stalwart Mark Nzeocha - who was also placed on IR with a quad injury.
Jordan Reed - still expected to be out 6 to 8 weeks and was officially placed on IR.
Your long snapper update: Kyle Nelson was indeed waived today, marking the end of the longest tenured player on the 49ers roster. Kyle Shanahan made a reference to Nelson having something before the game which carried over:
Shanahan said he believes Nelson will overcome his “yips,” but the 49ers simply couldn't risk waiting around for that to happen.
Other smaller moves include:
TE Daniel Helm has been signed to the roster.
The LS replacement is Taybor Pepper, a young long snapper who was the starter for Miami last year. Pepper and the Booming Onion!
TE Charlie Taumoepeau and OL Cody Conway were also added to the practice squad, as OL William Sweet was released.
As suspected, Nelson seems to have some form of the yips which is why the 49ers released him so quickly - this was not just about one bad game. The 49ers actually extended Nelson last year, to the tune of 4 years - this was clearly a move made with reasons we don’t fully know about yet.
Jimmy G vs. Nick Mullens - Not a Debate
Fans always fall in love with the backup QB. And there is no doubt: in the short season so far, Nick Mullens’ performance against the Giants was outstanding for a guy who had not played in an over a year. But make no mistake: there is not a QB controversy in Santa Clara - there is, however, a question to be asked.
We know the eye-test with Garoppolo vs. Mullens. Garoppolo oozes physical potential and it shows up in game - he can simply make throws that Mullens cannot. And while Mullens seems to be a quicker decision maker (which may be true to a certain degree) - Garoppolo is no slouch in that department either. The difference: Mullens does exactly what he is told. He is a master conformer, he follows the offense exactly as he is told and that is why the offense hums with him at the helm. Pure QB wise - this debate is not a debate, or to put it in Richard Sherman’s words: “They called this a matchup. Mismatch.”
But with that point being made, one must also consider - Mullens is only going to be getting better. He is 25 with 1 season as a rookie starter under his belt, and with a bad team. His arm strength or physical attributes may not improve, but his decision-making, accuracy, and poise will. This makes him valuable. Very valuable. And most of all, in a cash-strapped league - Mullens is a rare QB who can outplay what he is paid. Nobody is going to give Mullens the big bucks - but he will play well regardless.
Listen to Doug Pederson’s comments on Nick Mullens:
A stark contrast to Kyle Shanahan, who today said:
What does this mean?
The question that needs to be asked: If another team comes calling for Nick Mullens at the trade deadline, do the 49ers take that deal?
The answer is unequivocally: Yes.
The advanced stats are clear on this argument - Mullens is a good QB with a lot of growing room - but Garoppolo is simply better, and likely always will be. Garoppolo elevates his teammates, is clutch in big moments, and is simply more accurate - and he does the things that Shanahan wants in his QB. Mullens may follow the scheme to a tee, and make good decisions - but he ultimately will limit this offense with what he can do. The 49ers need to act before the rest of the league catches on.
It’s clear that although Kyle Shanahan may consider Nick Mullens only a backup, or Mullens on the same level as CJ Beathard; the rest of the NFL does not seem to. Remember during the draft, multiple trade offers were reported for Mullens involving mid round draft choices, all of which the 49ers refused. Why would they refuse? Simple. If Jimmy Garoppolo goes down in Week 12, the 49ers still have a shot at the playoffs with Mullens. Further, the 49ers would also have a fighter’s chance in the playoffs with a QB like Mullens. With Beathard at the helm, kiss those chances goodbye. Mullens has not been traded because he is Plan B. Obviously.
But tough decisions need to be made, and risky ones at that too. With the 49ers injuries sustained, a Super Bowl return is not out of the question, but is far from likely. This is when the front office needs to decide. We know Mullens will garner at least a 3rd round pick at this point. Teams routinely overpay for QBs - one bad injury to a team like the Steelers, who are contenders but heavily dependent on Big Ben, and Nick Mullens will be one of the 1st QBs people call for.
We know that although Mullens is an RFA - he is not a priority for this team. And the 49ers are limited on cap space. Mullens will get a reasonable deal, anywhere from 2M to 6M per year - but the 49ers simply cannot afford to do that with their cap scenario and with the talent exodus that is going to occur next offseason. That extra 2M? That is the difference between keeping a player like Richard Sherman, and settling to sign someone else. Even if the 49ers placed a tender on him - if a team offers more, I’m not exactly sure the 49ers can even afford to match the offer.
This Sunday will be crucial: because Mullens will be on the biggest stage of his career - Sunday Night Football. Unless Jimmy Garoppolo recovers in time, Mullens will start - and big audiences means big influence. A good performance from Mullens will balloon his value, and that will be crucial if the 49ers do in fact trade him.
Finally, have fun if you are following the NBA - the NBA Finals start today at 6 PST, between the LA Lakers and Miami Heat.
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Who doesn’t love a QB controversy, real or imagined?!
I'll say it like this: Kyle Shanahan knows exactly which QB is most capable of executing his offensive vision at the highest level. If one of these guys is being hidden/propped up by KS's playcalling, he knows. The fact that he's basically said Mullens has zero chance of keeping the starting job once Garoppolo tells you everything you need to know.