2023 Season

[CrimsonCrew]

Ravens did us a solid yesterday. Hopefully they instilled some doubt in Seattle and they buckle a little bit. Though nothing like a game against the Commanders to cure what ails you.... The problem is that we also have to play the Ravens, and the team that has come out the past few weeks will not win that game.

The Seahawks have beaten teams that we lost to, including Cleveland and Detroit (we lost to our NFC North counterpart in Minnesota). That puts us at a disadvantage. We have to beat teams that they did not beat (already beat the Rams once, at least) to make up ground in the division.

Got to start by winning this week.

[CrimsonCrew]

Niners adding another elite athlete at interior OL (presumably) in Princeton's Henry Byrd. Didn't pan out with the last several guys they looked at (Jason Poe, Joey Fisher), but maybe Byrd has a shot.

Read on Twitter

In a slightly related note, apparently the Jets released Poe from their PS today.

[CrimsonCrew]

Actually, I was thinking 34" is basically the cutoff for NFL OT arms, but it may be 33". Maybe he can play OT, and is the replacement for Watson.

[49er4life1979]

Ravens did us a solid yesterday. Hopefully they instilled some doubt in Seattle and they buckle a little bit. Though nothing like a game against the Commanders to cure what ails you.... The problem is that we also have to play the Ravens, and the team that has come out the past few weeks will not win that game.

The Seahawks have beaten teams that we lost to, including Cleveland and Detroit (we lost to our NFC North counterpart in Minnesota). That puts us at a disadvantage. We have to beat teams that they did not beat (already beat the Rams once, at least) to make up ground in the division.

Got to start by winning this week.

It's all about the division wins. I know we lost 3 straight and you wonder do truly good teams lose 3 in a row? But the same can be said for teams that get routed 37-3. I think they still need to play Dallas and Philly as well. Maybe Dallas bests them. If we play our game my main concern is Philly in the NFC.

[CrimsonCrew]

Ravens did us a solid yesterday. Hopefully they instilled some doubt in Seattle and they buckle a little bit. Though nothing like a game against the Commanders to cure what ails you.... The problem is that we also have to play the Ravens, and the team that has come out the past few weeks will not win that game.

The Seahawks have beaten teams that we lost to, including Cleveland and Detroit (we lost to our NFC North counterpart in Minnesota). That puts us at a disadvantage. We have to beat teams that they did not beat (already beat the Rams once, at least) to make up ground in the division.

Got to start by winning this week.

It's all about the division wins. I know we lost 3 straight and you wonder do truly good teams lose 3 in a row? But the same can be said for teams that get routed 37-3. I think they still need to play Dallas and Philly as well. Maybe Dallas bests them. If we play our game my main concern is Philly in the NFC.

Agreed, the division wins are huge. If we can sweep Seattle, it will be hard for them to beat us for the division.

I don't know that Seattle is a serious threat to win the Super Bowl this year. It's hard to see them stringing together four strong performances against good teams (granted there may be some NFC playoff teams that are not particularly good). But teams with less talent have gotten hot at the right time in the past and gone the distance. And division games always tend to be tough/less predictable than games outside the division.

[CrimsonCrew]

I was thinking about some of our struggles against the run. I'd be interested in giving Kalia Davis some snaps and seeing what he can do with them. Kinlaw is just so inconsistent playing the run. Some games he'll look good, others he'll get blown five yards off the ball. Davis is an interesting player, at 6'1", 300+ with good quickness. It's a physical profile that has worked for us in the past with a run-stopping guy like DJ Jones.

At this point, you could argue that our run D is as big a concern as our pass D, so I think we need to be open to trying some new players along the DL.

[49er4life1979]

I was thinking about some of our struggles against the run. I'd be interested in giving Kalia Davis some snaps and seeing what he can do with them. Kinlaw is just so inconsistent playing the run. Some games he'll look good, others he'll get blown five yards off the ball. Davis is an interesting player, at 6'1", 300+ with good quickness. It's a physical profile that has worked for us in the past with a run-stopping guy like DJ Jones.

At this point, you could argue that our run D is as big a concern as our pass D, so I think we need to be open to trying some new players along the DL.

I hate citing Grant Cohn, but he may have a point that we lost too many good run defenders like Ebukam, Al-Shaair, and Jimmie Ward. Ebukam in particular was effective in setting the edge. But on the other hand they played the run well the first five games. So perhaps just a slump. But it all starts with stopping the run. We shore that up we should be ok. On the back end, Charvarius needs to play more disciplined and stop the penalties. Lenoir has been solid, but Oliver at nickel is a big worry for me. He's been a liability. Maybe Womack helps there, can't be any worse.

[49er4life1979]

Ravens did us a solid yesterday. Hopefully they instilled some doubt in Seattle and they buckle a little bit. Though nothing like a game against the Commanders to cure what ails you.... The problem is that we also have to play the Ravens, and the team that has come out the past few weeks will not win that game.

The Seahawks have beaten teams that we lost to, including Cleveland and Detroit (we lost to our NFC North counterpart in Minnesota). That puts us at a disadvantage. We have to beat teams that they did not beat (already beat the Rams once, at least) to make up ground in the division.

Got to start by winning this week.

It's all about the division wins. I know we lost 3 straight and you wonder do truly good teams lose 3 in a row? But the same can be said for teams that get routed 37-3. I think they still need to play Dallas and Philly as well. Maybe Dallas bests them. If we play our game my main concern is Philly in the NFC.

Agreed, the division wins are huge. If we can sweep Seattle, it will be hard for them to beat us for the division.

I don't know that Seattle is a serious threat to win the Super Bowl this year. It's hard to see them stringing together four strong performances against good teams (granted there may be some NFC playoff teams that are not particularly good). But teams with less talent have gotten hot at the right time in the past and gone the distance. And division games always tend to be tough/less predictable than games outside the division.

Seattle has a good coach but the team has slightly above average talent to me. If we are at the top of our game we can beat them for sure.

[arich35]

Kyle said that Wilks will be on the sideline to call plays now.

[CrimsonCrew]

I was thinking about some of our struggles against the run. I'd be interested in giving Kalia Davis some snaps and seeing what he can do with them. Kinlaw is just so inconsistent playing the run. Some games he'll look good, others he'll get blown five yards off the ball. Davis is an interesting player, at 6'1", 300+ with good quickness. It's a physical profile that has worked for us in the past with a run-stopping guy like DJ Jones.

At this point, you could argue that our run D is as big a concern as our pass D, so I think we need to be open to trying some new players along the DL.

I hate citing Grant Cohn, but he may have a point that we lost too many good run defenders like Ebukam, Al-Shaair, and Jimmie Ward. Ebukam in particular was effective in setting the edge. But on the other hand they played the run well the first five games. So perhaps just a slump. But it all starts with stopping the run. We shore that up we should be ok. On the back end, Charvarius needs to play more disciplined and stop the penalties. Lenoir has been solid, but Oliver at nickel is a big worry for me. He's been a liability. Maybe Womack helps there, can't be any worse.

Yeah, but Ferrell is a good run-stopper, too. And Burks has been playing well generally, though probably not quite as well as Al-Shaair. And the only good thing Oliver has done is play the run, where he's had several big plays.

I think some of the run issues are scheme, where we're running more slants and stunts, which can get our guys out of position. I think that's what happened on the rushing TD last against the Bengals when Bosa didn't even try to set the edge (or that was just the worst DE rep against the run we've ever seen).

I also think the loss of Hassan Ridgeway has had an impact, as Hargrave and Kinlaw aren't always the most stout against the run.

Agreed that Oliver against the pass is an issue. I'm not sure they're inclined to play Womack inside, but maybe the put him outside and bring Lenoir inside in nickel packages.

[49er4life1979]

I was thinking about some of our struggles against the run. I'd be interested in giving Kalia Davis some snaps and seeing what he can do with them. Kinlaw is just so inconsistent playing the run. Some games he'll look good, others he'll get blown five yards off the ball. Davis is an interesting player, at 6'1", 300+ with good quickness. It's a physical profile that has worked for us in the past with a run-stopping guy like DJ Jones.

At this point, you could argue that our run D is as big a concern as our pass D, so I think we need to be open to trying some new players along the DL.

I hate citing Grant Cohn, but he may have a point that we lost too many good run defenders like Ebukam, Al-Shaair, and Jimmie Ward. Ebukam in particular was effective in setting the edge. But on the other hand they played the run well the first five games. So perhaps just a slump. But it all starts with stopping the run. We shore that up we should be ok. On the back end, Charvarius needs to play more disciplined and stop the penalties. Lenoir has been solid, but Oliver at nickel is a big worry for me. He's been a liability. Maybe Womack helps there, can't be any worse.

Yeah, but Ferrell is a good run-stopper, too. And Burks has been playing well generally, though probably not quite as well as Al-Shaair. And the only good thing Oliver has done is play the run, where he's had several big plays.

I think some of the run issues are scheme, where we're running more slants and stunts, which can get our guys out of position. I think that's what happened on the rushing TD last against the Bengals when Bosa didn't even try to set the edge (or that was just the worst DE rep against the run we've ever seen).

I also think the loss of Hassan Ridgeway has had an impact, as Hargrave and Kinlaw aren't always the most stout against the run.

Agreed that Oliver against the pass is an issue. I'm not sure they're inclined to play Womack inside, but maybe the put him outside and bring Lenoir inside in nickel packages.

Oh right I forgot about Ridgeway in the running game. And yes Womack would go outside and Lenoir would move inside to nickel in passing situations. Oh and they're working out Dontae Johnson as we speak lol. He's been signed and released and signed and released about 56,347 times by the Niners.

[Harry Palmer]

Kyle said that Wilks will be on the sideline to call plays now.

Imo this is the worst news yet. Smells of panic, incredibly unlikely to work, very likely to make things worse. He chose the booth because that’s his personality/how he sees the game. Making him do it the way his predecessors did because you’re struggling…unless this came from Wilks, and I’d have to really be convinced it was actually his idea…that seems bush league to me. It also suggests things are even worse behind the scenes than it appears; making Wilks do this would be pretty humiliating to him and will not do much for his cred with the guys under him. Again, unless it’s 100% coming from him.

In which case I still think it’s much more likely to make things worse than better, but it doesn’t necessarily come with all of the other issues.

[CrimsonCrew]

Kyle said that Wilks will be on the sideline to call plays now.

Imo this is the worst news yet. Smells of panic, incredibly unlikely to work, very likely to make things worse. He chose the booth because that’s his personality/how he sees the game. Making him do it the way his predecessors did because you’re struggling…unless this came from Wilks, and I’d have to really be convinced it was actually his idea…that seems bush league to me. It also suggests things are even worse behind the scenes than it appears; making Wilks do this would be pretty humiliating to him and will not do much for his cred with the guys under him. Again, unless it’s 100% coming from him.

In which case I still think it’s much more likely to make things worse than better, but it doesn’t necessarily come with all of the other issues.

Yeah, I don't understand trying to solve a guy's struggles by making him do something that he thinks will make him worse. Though maybe there's something to be said for having him near his players. Fangio was awesome from the booth, and Ryans was awesome from the field, so clearly both can work. I guess we'll see what happens.

[Samurai]

Kyle said that Wilks will be on the sideline to call plays now.

Imo this is the worst news yet. Smells of panic, incredibly unlikely to work, very likely to make things worse. He chose the booth because that’s his personality/how he sees the game. Making him do it the way his predecessors did because you’re struggling…unless this came from Wilks, and I’d have to really be convinced it was actually his idea…that seems bush league to me. It also suggests things are even worse behind the scenes than it appears; making Wilks do this would be pretty humiliating to him and will not do much for his cred with the guys under him. Again, unless it’s 100% coming from him.

In which case I still think it’s much more likely to make things worse than better, but it doesn’t necessarily come with all of the other issues.

Agree. Just because being on the sidelines worked for his predecessors, who had different personalities, doesn't mean it will work for Wilks. Sounds like a case of trying to pound a round peg into a square hole instead of best utilizing a person's strengths.

[CrimsonCrew]

Big Trent back out on the practice field. Thank God. Just hope he's not rushing back and doesn't aggravate it.

[arich35]

Feel like this is a pretty important game

[CrimsonCrew]

Feel like this is a pretty important game

Yeah, they've got to get back on the right track. It's not must-win, but if they want to make noise in the playoffs, they've got to put an end to this "adversity."

Kyle's teams aren't historically great off the bye, but let's hope for the best.

[Samurai]

Feel like this is a pretty important game

Yeah, they've got to get back on the right track. It's not must-win, but if they want to make noise in the playoffs, they've got to put an end to this "adversity."

Kyle's teams aren't historically great off the bye, but let's hope for the best.

At this point, I have more faith that the offense will rebound than our defense. Purdy has been fairly typical (other than the Cleveland game) outside of several killer picks. Running game has been off but with Trent missing and CMC nursing an injury that doesn't surprise me. It's the defense that has looked more out of whack to me - no pass rush, no run defense, ultra-soft coverage, poor tackling at every level. Offense seems like it is just a few adjustments away from what it was during the 5-0 start, which largely gets fixed if our running game returns. But the defense seems like there are so many fixes needed that makes it less likely to suddenly get fixed over the bye.

[arich35]

Feel like this is a pretty important game

Yeah, they've got to get back on the right track. It's not must-win, but if they want to make noise in the playoffs, they've got to put an end to this "adversity."

Kyle's teams aren't historically great off the bye, but let's hope for the best.

At this point, I have more faith that the offense will rebound than our defense. Purdy has been fairly typical (other than the Cleveland game) outside of several killer picks. Running game has been off but with Trent missing and CMC nursing an injury that doesn't surprise me. It's the defense that has looked more out of whack to me - no pass rush, no run defense, ultra-soft coverage, poor tackling at every level. Offense seems like it is just a few adjustments away from what it was during the 5-0 start, which largely gets fixed if our running game returns. But the defense seems like there are so many fixes needed that makes it less likely to suddenly get fixed over the bye.

If the defense could just get off the damn field I think we would have been totally fine the last two games. Offense is very rhythm based and when they can't get on the field and get going it is tough sledding for this team.

Trent Williams and Hargrave are questionable for this game

[thesack12]

I guess I'm in the minority, but to me Wilks coming down from the box to coach from the sidelines doesn't seem like a problem to me.

Its not like Wilks has never called a game from the sidelines before. It might have been his own idea to make the move to the sidelines.

In any event, I don't see how its going to hurt much, if any at all. The last 3 games the defense have been down in the 30's by most performance metrics. They have been systematically bad with every aspect related to defense. Can't pressure the passer, can't cover receivers, poor against the run, poor against the pass, bad tackling, bad play calling, too many un-necessary penalties, giving up a very high yards per play rate, terrible time of possession disparity, godawful on 3rd down, and can't even force a freaking punt.

In other words, short of giving up a 50 burger it can't really get much worse.

Having the DC on the sidelines surely improves communication with the players. Wilks only has 2 ears and 1 mouth to be able to do that on a phone from the box.