2023 Season

[CrimsonCrew]

Is there a tangible explanation as to why this team under Shanahan struggles in tight games or playing from behind? Legit question because with the talent at their disposal that shouldn't be such a weird black mark against his teams.

I'm sure it's a combination of factors, but my view is as follows: Shanahan has a tendency to abandon the run in close games or when trailing. Sometimes we're trailing by enough that there isn't an alternative, but often it happens when it's still relatively early and we're within reach if we just put together a strong drive or two.

This offense flows through the run game. It is effective in and of itself, but arguably the more significant element is that Shanahan is as good as it gets at using play action to exploit coverages in the passing game. Shanahan is not bad in terms of scheming up the pure drop-back game, per se, but he's not nearly as good at that as he is out of play action. We have a tendency to do some odd and counterproductive things in that element of the game, and they often bite us in the @$$.

Hopefully we just blow everyone out in the playoffs, and win the SB going away. But that's asking a lot. It's probably the thing that concerns me the most about this team's fortunes this year. We were 1-3 in games determined by fewer than 10 points this season, and the one win was by seven points against the Rams when they made a FG to trim the lead on the final play, so it only counts in the most technical sense. We lost to Cleveland by two (though we did enough to win at the end), Minnesota by five, and of course the Rams game, which I don't really count.

The Cincinnati game was a 14-point loss, but we were trailing by seven with eight minutes left when they went on a 10-play TD drive to salt the game away, so we could probably include that as a "close" loss. Everything else was basically a blowout win or loss (Ravens game). It's also worth noting that we had opportunities to really put away the Hawks and Bucs, but let them hang around with ineffective drives in the fourth quarter.

[CrimsonCrew]

Pete Carroll out. Man, that's the end of an era. I really don't like Carroll, but he's a great coach and he contributed to a resurgent rivalry between the Niners and Hawks. Part of me is sad to see him go. That said, I think they'll feel his loss acutely, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Bit of an odd departure, as it looked like he was staying, but then was clearly fired (not in so many words). Could lead the team into some disarray for the foreseeable future.

[RIPskaterdude]

In positive injury news, Armstead, Gipson, Brown, and Jennings should all be back. CMC, too, of course (pretty sure he would have played this past week if it was an important game). George Odum may also come back. He's not a great safety, and would hopefully be 4th on the depth chart at this point, but he could contribute on STs. Looks like Hawkins may be done as he need surgery on his wrist.

Pretty solid to only be missing two regular starters (Hufanga and Ferrell), both with arguably comparable guys stepping in for them, going into the playoffs. Not many teams are in such good shape on the injury front.

The bye week probably saved this team from losing Wild Card weekend from all the injuries. They had no safeties left

[CharityStripe34]

Is there a tangible explanation as to why this team under Shanahan struggles in tight games or playing from behind? Legit question because with the talent at their disposal that shouldn't be such a weird black mark against his teams.

I'm sure it's a combination of factors, but my view is as follows: Shanahan has a tendency to abandon the run in close games or when trailing. Sometimes we're trailing by enough that there isn't an alternative, but often it happens when it's still relatively early and we're within reach if we just put together a strong drive or two.

This offense flows through the run game. It is effective in and of itself, but arguably the more significant element is that Shanahan is as good as it gets at using play action to exploit coverages in the passing game. Shanahan is not bad in terms of scheming up the pure drop-back game, per se, but he's not nearly as good at that as he is out of play action. We have a tendency to do some odd and counterproductive things in that element of the game, and they often bite us in the @$$.

Hopefully we just blow everyone out in the playoffs, and win the SB going away. But that's asking a lot. It's probably the thing that concerns me the most about this team's fortunes this year. We were 1-3 in games determined by fewer than 10 points this season, and the one win was by seven points against the Rams when they made a FG to trim the lead on the final play, so it only counts in the most technical sense. We lost to Cleveland by two (though we did enough to win at the end), Minnesota by five, and of course the Rams game, which I don't really count.

The Cincinnati game was a 14-point loss, but we were trailing by seven with eight minutes left when they went on a 10-play TD drive to salt the game away, so we could probably include that as a "close" loss. Everything else was basically a blowout win or loss (Ravens game). It's also worth noting that we had opportunities to really put away the Hawks and Bucs, but let them hang around with ineffective drives in the fourth quarter.

Yeah, a lot of the success of the offense is an extension of the threat and/or play of the run-game. Plus, besides Trent, the rest of the O-line can be rather suspect in a normal drop-back situation as evidenced by their pedestrian pass-block rankings.

[CrimsonCrew]

In positive injury news, Armstead, Gipson, Brown, and Jennings should all be back. CMC, too, of course (pretty sure he would have played this past week if it was an important game). George Odum may also come back. He's not a great safety, and would hopefully be 4th on the depth chart at this point, but he could contribute on STs. Looks like Hawkins may be done as he need surgery on his wrist.

Pretty solid to only be missing two regular starters (Hufanga and Ferrell), both with arguably comparable guys stepping in for them, going into the playoffs. Not many teams are in such good shape on the injury front.

The bye week probably saved this team from losing Wild Card weekend from all the injuries. They had no safeties left

I feel pretty good about their chances against the Packers even with the injuries. A bunch of guys would have been back this week, and none of our key players are out except maybe Armstead. Still, certainly glad we have the extra week to heal up.

[CrimsonCrew]

Is there a tangible explanation as to why this team under Shanahan struggles in tight games or playing from behind? Legit question because with the talent at their disposal that shouldn't be such a weird black mark against his teams.

I'm sure it's a combination of factors, but my view is as follows: Shanahan has a tendency to abandon the run in close games or when trailing. Sometimes we're trailing by enough that there isn't an alternative, but often it happens when it's still relatively early and we're within reach if we just put together a strong drive or two.

This offense flows through the run game. It is effective in and of itself, but arguably the more significant element is that Shanahan is as good as it gets at using play action to exploit coverages in the passing game. Shanahan is not bad in terms of scheming up the pure drop-back game, per se, but he's not nearly as good at that as he is out of play action. We have a tendency to do some odd and counterproductive things in that element of the game, and they often bite us in the @$$.

Hopefully we just blow everyone out in the playoffs, and win the SB going away. But that's asking a lot. It's probably the thing that concerns me the most about this team's fortunes this year. We were 1-3 in games determined by fewer than 10 points this season, and the one win was by seven points against the Rams when they made a FG to trim the lead on the final play, so it only counts in the most technical sense. We lost to Cleveland by two (though we did enough to win at the end), Minnesota by five, and of course the Rams game, which I don't really count.

The Cincinnati game was a 14-point loss, but we were trailing by seven with eight minutes left when they went on a 10-play TD drive to salt the game away, so we could probably include that as a "close" loss. Everything else was basically a blowout win or loss (Ravens game). It's also worth noting that we had opportunities to really put away the Hawks and Bucs, but let them hang around with ineffective drives in the fourth quarter.

Yeah, a lot of the success of the offense is an extension of the threat and/or play of the run-game. Plus, besides Trent, the rest of the O-line can be rather suspect in a normal drop-back situation as evidenced by their pedestrian pass-block rankings.

Yeah, this OL really isn't all that good outside of Big Trent. McKivitz has been something of a pleasant surprise, but to a degree that's because my expectations for him were pretty low. I expected Burford to make a jump, and instead, it almost seems that he's regressed. Brendel has been wildly inconsistent. He's got a little McGlinchey in him in that he can just lose instantly sometimes and completely ruin a play. Banks has been more solid lately, but he also struggled to start the year. I'd like to see them address the OL more aggressively this year, ideally with two picks in the first five rounds. And we need Feliciano to start at RG in the playoffs.

[CrimsonCrew]

Adam Peters is a finalist for the Washington job. REALLY don't want to lose him. Lynch has been a pleasant surprise as a GM, although again, that's in part because my expectations were fairly low. But we have tended to struggle in the early rounds of the draft, while really excelling in the later rounds.

My interpretation has long been that Shanahan and Lynch are more involved in the early rounds, where they fall in love with guys, tend to move up for them, and see them bust as often as not. Then, in the later rounds, they rely more on Peters and the area scouts as they aren't as familiar with the less-heralded players. If they lose Peters, they'd better have a talent lined up to take on his role, and it's not hard to imagine a real slip in turning up late-round studs.

[RIPskaterdude]

In positive injury news, Armstead, Gipson, Brown, and Jennings should all be back. CMC, too, of course (pretty sure he would have played this past week if it was an important game). George Odum may also come back. He's not a great safety, and would hopefully be 4th on the depth chart at this point, but he could contribute on STs. Looks like Hawkins may be done as he need surgery on his wrist.

Pretty solid to only be missing two regular starters (Hufanga and Ferrell), both with arguably comparable guys stepping in for them, going into the playoffs. Not many teams are in such good shape on the injury front.

The bye week probably saved this team from losing Wild Card weekend from all the injuries. They had no safeties left

I feel pretty good about their chances against the Packers even with the injuries. A bunch of guys would have been back this week, and none of our key players are out except maybe Armstead. Still, certainly glad we have the extra week to heal up.

It's hard to say, but CMC could have played, but also risked a worse injury doing so. Packers are hot right now

[CrimsonCrew]

The bye week probably saved this team from losing Wild Card weekend from all the injuries. They had no safeties left

I feel pretty good about their chances against the Packers even with the injuries. A bunch of guys would have been back this week, and none of our key players are out except maybe Armstead. Still, certainly glad we have the extra week to heal up.

It's hard to say, but CMC could have played, but also risked a worse injury doing so. Packers are hot right now

Are they? They beat Carolina, Minnesota, and Chicago. Prior to that, they lost to Tampa Bay and the Giants. They did knock off the Chiefs and Lions before that, so we can't take them lightly, but we are clearly the better team, even banged up.

[Jikkle]

In positive injury news, Armstead, Gipson, Brown, and Jennings should all be back. CMC, too, of course (pretty sure he would have played this past week if it was an important game). George Odum may also come back. He's not a great safety, and would hopefully be 4th on the depth chart at this point, but he could contribute on STs. Looks like Hawkins may be done as he need surgery on his wrist.

Pretty solid to only be missing two regular starters (Hufanga and Ferrell), both with arguably comparable guys stepping in for them, going into the playoffs. Not many teams are in such good shape on the injury front.

The bye week probably saved this team from losing Wild Card weekend from all the injuries. They had no safeties left

I do believe if this team makes it to the SB it'll be because they got the bye week but we would've gotten out of the wildcard round still.

Packers' defense sucks and maybe it would've been a higher-scoring game but the offense shouldn't have had any problems scoring on them.

I mean they gave up 30 points to the Panthers and only beat them 33-30 which happened to be the most the Panthers scored all year not to mention the following two games the Panthers scored exactly 0 points so it's not like the Panthers offense has some late-season surge.

But I still think getting guys healthy and rested will give the team the edge it needs to run it all the way to the Super Bowl. Mainly defensively because I thought the past couple weeks the defense was starting to wear out like they did during the losing streak and all the little injuries were starting to add up on guys.

After that losing streak coming off the bye the team really looked energized and seemed like it was riding that energy until the Cardinals game where it started to slip again. So I'm hoping for the same thing to happen again with the team coming out with a lot of energy and focus and that be the edge over the other NFC teams we'll see in the playoffs.

[CharityStripe34]

And off that bye they traveled to Florida to absolutely smoke a red-hot Jags team. With home-field throughout they don't have to travel and should have a ton of energy.

[RIPskaterdude]

Adam Peters is a finalist for the Washington job. REALLY don't want to lose him. Lynch has been a pleasant surprise as a GM, although again, that's in part because my expectations were fairly low. But we have tended to struggle in the early rounds of the draft, while really excelling in the later rounds.

My interpretation has long been that Shanahan and Lynch are more involved in the early rounds, where they fall in love with guys, tend to move up for them, and see them bust as often as not. Then, in the later rounds, they rely more on Peters and the area scouts as they aren't as familiar with the less-heralded players. If they lose Peters, they'd better have a talent lined up to take on his role, and it's not hard to imagine a real slip in turning up late-round studs.

He's gone

Read on Twitter

[RIPskaterdude]

Complete disrespect for Purdy

Read on Twitter

[CrimsonCrew]

Adam Peters is a finalist for the Washington job. REALLY don't want to lose him. Lynch has been a pleasant surprise as a GM, although again, that's in part because my expectations were fairly low. But we have tended to struggle in the early rounds of the draft, while really excelling in the later rounds.

My interpretation has long been that Shanahan and Lynch are more involved in the early rounds, where they fall in love with guys, tend to move up for them, and see them bust as often as not. Then, in the later rounds, they rely more on Peters and the area scouts as they aren't as familiar with the less-heralded players. If they lose Peters, they'd better have a talent lined up to take on his role, and it's not hard to imagine a real slip in turning up late-round studs.

He's gone

Read on Twitter

Damn. That's a loss. Hard to say, but I think Peters is the primary reason we've been so good in the later rounds. In terms of the draft, at least, I strongly prefer Peters to Shanahan and Lynch. It will be really interesting to see how this shakes out in the years ahead. Good chance he poaches some talent.

[CrimsonCrew]

Complete disrespect for Purdy

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I don't know that it's complete disrespect, but my view is he should have gotten it over Dak. Dak had more yards and TDs, fewer INTs (granted Purdy sat the last game). Same team record. Their QBR only ended up 0.2 apart, though Purdy had a higher QB rating by seven points. PFF had Prescott at 90.8 and Purdy at 88.4, though their scoring is more subjective.

Ultimately, on paper, they were quite similar. Given that Purdy knocked off Dak, and that Dak lost two key games late in the year to Purdy's one, I would have gone Purdy over Dak. But it's hard to be that critical.

Interesting that Aiyuk was second-team all-pro, but didn't make the pro bowl.

[RIPskaterdude]

Adam Peters is a finalist for the Washington job. REALLY don't want to lose him. Lynch has been a pleasant surprise as a GM, although again, that's in part because my expectations were fairly low. But we have tended to struggle in the early rounds of the draft, while really excelling in the later rounds.

My interpretation has long been that Shanahan and Lynch are more involved in the early rounds, where they fall in love with guys, tend to move up for them, and see them bust as often as not. Then, in the later rounds, they rely more on Peters and the area scouts as they aren't as familiar with the less-heralded players. If they lose Peters, they'd better have a talent lined up to take on his role, and it's not hard to imagine a real slip in turning up late-round studs.

He's gone

Read on Twitter

Damn. That's a loss. Hard to say, but I think Peters is the primary reason we've been so good in the later rounds. In terms of the draft, at least, I strongly prefer Peters to Shanahan and Lynch. It will be really interesting to see how this shakes out in the years ahead. Good chance he poaches some talent.

I have no doubt that BA is already priced out of 49ers market for next year and former 49ers executives in Tennessee and now Washington will be giving him top dollar

[Samurai]

Adam Peters is a finalist for the Washington job. REALLY don't want to lose him. Lynch has been a pleasant surprise as a GM, although again, that's in part because my expectations were fairly low. But we have tended to struggle in the early rounds of the draft, while really excelling in the later rounds.

My interpretation has long been that Shanahan and Lynch are more involved in the early rounds, where they fall in love with guys, tend to move up for them, and see them bust as often as not. Then, in the later rounds, they rely more on Peters and the area scouts as they aren't as familiar with the less-heralded players. If they lose Peters, they'd better have a talent lined up to take on his role, and it's not hard to imagine a real slip in turning up late-round studs.

He's gone

Read on Twitter

We don't get a compensatory draft pick for him, do we?

[thesack12]

Adam Peters is a finalist for the Washington job. REALLY don't want to lose him. Lynch has been a pleasant surprise as a GM, although again, that's in part because my expectations were fairly low. But we have tended to struggle in the early rounds of the draft, while really excelling in the later rounds.

My interpretation has long been that Shanahan and Lynch are more involved in the early rounds, where they fall in love with guys, tend to move up for them, and see them bust as often as not. Then, in the later rounds, they rely more on Peters and the area scouts as they aren't as familiar with the less-heralded players. If they lose Peters, they'd better have a talent lined up to take on his role, and it's not hard to imagine a real slip in turning up late-round studs.

He's gone

Read on Twitter

We don't get a compensatory draft pick for him, do we?

They exercised Aiyuk's 5th year option, so he's under contract for next season. So short of the super annoying holdout situation, he'll be back. If he does holdout, a trade enters the equation.

Assuming Aiyuk plays out his current contract, I know this regime doesn't seem to like using the franchise tag, but in Aiyuk's case I think placing the tag on him could (should?) be in play. It would allow the team to be able to trade him next winter, if his cost does prove to be too expensive.

If they don't use the tag on Aiyuk and he walks, the 9ers will be eligible for a compensatory pick for him. However, that pick would not be as valuable as the trade compensation he would fetch in a trade.

I don't think its a foregone conclusion Aiyuk won't be here long term. The cap limit grows every year. That said SF is looking at needing to give Purdy a massive extension in a couple years as well.

[thesack12]

We won't know the effect of losing Adam Peters for at least a couple years. Currently, its tough to see him go though.

It's worth noting Niners have held up remarkably well despite constantly losing talent in front office and coaching staff every year. So they are "built" to withstand losing personnel and have quality replacements at the ready. Still at some point, you have to think that the in house talent pool might start to get shallow and the losses will begin to take a toll.

[thesack12]

I am torn between wanting the Packers or Bucs

I just don't want to see Rams. Hopefully Lions take care of them and we get Bucs. That would be ideal. Then in the NFC Title game we get Lions. Jared Goff's record isn't great at all outdoors and especially on grass.

Despite their end of season tail spin, I still really don't want to see the Eagles next week.

Their strengths match up with the 9ers' weaknesses. Philly sports a strong running game, and the 9ers run D is suspect. Despite what happened in the matchup earlier in the year, the 9ers are still really susceptible to getting hurt by mobile QB's and we all know Hurts can do damage with his legs. They have a very strong O-line, and the 9ers DL/pass rush doesn't seem to win in the trench battle very often.

Defensively they have the ability to create a really strong pass rush, and we know that the OL's weak point is pass protection. Their secondary is beatable, but if Purdy doesn't have time they can mitigate the suspect secondary.

Plus if the 9ers are looking at a 2nd round matchup with Philly, that of course will mean that they won their 1st playoff game. Which very well could help them build confidence and trigger them to right their ship going forward.