This article really captures pretty much all the separate posts and comments I’ve made over the past few weeks.
Football is a team sport, and each component supports the others. When you are top-heavy with high-priced veterans (some of whom aren’t carrying their weight – or are in decline) it’s hard to make up for it when your best are hurt or hobbled. The fact that we’re 5-7 and had so many close games is testament to good coaching and positive team spirit.
23 comments
Yep going all-in on retirees is not a good idea. Paying CMC knowing that he is injured might be negligence too, which is worthy of admonishment.
We have a history of going all-in on stupidity too. Like drafting the same QB 3 years in a row and only letting them play 4 games. Or drafting someone with a known injury as well…
People need to stop freaking out about a down season where so many things happening are out of their control. Injuries, player shot, players kids dying, etc. KP hits on that in the article. I don’t know what fans think these guys are supposed to do when personal tragedy strikes.
It’s the cost of the Trey Lance trade (which obviously didn’t work) and the CMC trade (which worked out brilliantly).
We’re paying for the lack of young talent right now. Good thing is Lynch nailed the last draft and we have a full compliment of picks this draft.
Was ready to roll my eyes, at another idiotic “stats” guerra piece. Turns out it’s by Posey so kept reading. Would have to agree with 99% of the analysis. Also well written about Aiyuk’s effect of being on the field. It really lines up better with why Lynch paid Aiyuk, he’s a difference maker just by being on the field, even when the ball isn’t going to him.
Only thing I didn’t agree on was throwing out Aiyuk’s first month. We don’t get gimmes because our WR decided to skip the offseason. Aiyuk was starting to return to form when he got hurt but I wouldn’t say he was on his way to his 2023 dominance.
The 49ers have had by FAR the worst injury luck in the league, because not all injuries are equal. The 49ers are slightly less “injured” than Detroit in terms of total players out (21 vs. 25), but have suffered many more “key” injuries. And, as a result, they look like the practice squad team they’re currently fielding. Of their seven 2023 All-Pros, only Juszczyk has played every game this season. Their WR1 and RB1 (the reigning offensive player of the year) have been out most of the year. They’ve missed games from their QB1, LT, LB1 (Warner, now playing on a broken ankle), LB2 (Greenlaw, every game so far) S (Hufunga a 2022 All-Pro), WR1, WR2 (Deebo, now playing while recovering from pneumonia) WR3 (Pearsall, shot in the chest) CB1 (Ward, bereavement), DT (Hargrave, out since Week 1). And that’s just the “stud” players.
It’s just bad luck. Fans need to stop looking for something else to blame.
That was a good article.
Three last second scores sunk our season. Otherwise we are first place in division. Shot went sides ways for sure, but even with all the wackiness we are still right there.
When people talk about things that didn’t work out they forget one big one: Javon Hargrave. His contract’s worth 30% more than CMC’s but he has had basically no impact. That’s a big swing and a big miss.
I can’t be mad about CMC when he put up the season he did last year, injuries suck. When he was on the field he was good though. Hargrave never performed anything like his contract value.
The accurate description is Kyle Shanahan is an overrated hack. He has mismanaged the staff, players, and his play calling is ass. Defenses have caught up to it his play calling.
Injuries happen. But the Niners will always fail if he continues to call the plays. The defense used to be able to make up for it but it has been horrible since Sorenson has taken over. Steve Wilks say Go EAD Kyle.
I think a lot of this season really boils down to inaction of improving in the trenches on both sides especially the offensive side. Had they improved the OL, they probably had just enough to make the playoffs maybe even winning a game.
But not properly addressing DL, LB and deciding to not trade away Deebo pretty much knocked them out of being a legit SB contender.
What’s crazy is if they don’t drop the games to LA or AZ, none of this really matters with how the division is going. It’s unfortunate, but those two games will absolutely haunt the season.
I think this type of season was bound to happen… this is arguably the most stacked and talented roster when healthy in the NFL and after 3 straight years of deep playoff runs, that amount of games played has just taken its toll all in one season. It’s not a young team either, lots of guys in their prime and older.
What I can’t stand is people thinking Shanny should be on the hot seat. It just shows how people want someone to blame when expectations aren’t met so they go after him. He rightfully should be criticized for some of our terrible loses like with the Rams, Cards and Seahawks this year but to think he’s gotta go is absurd. He’s had way too much success last 5 seasons to give up on. It’s not our year, we’re too banged up and there’s a bit of SB losing hangover going on too.
Not sure we have been at full strength for even one game, just a rough year.
To be devils advocate, have we not seen too many leads thrown away – including SB leads – to not think that Kyle doesn’t adapt to games the way one should? Do we want to go Mike Tomlin and just have winning records/go to playoffs/champ games/Super Bowl or do we want to win?
It’s an incredibly hard league made even more so by playoffs and every game being a cup final.
We’ve paid players who then don’t perform. Being realistic, we aren’t even the best team in nfc let alone the nfl.
And yes I realise we have been obliterated on DC for the last god knows but it don’t mean we shouldn’t be scoring??
There is not a team in this league that has the “depth” to compete with 18 starters out. The NFL is too competitive, the top end talent is too great, and many players that are “depth” are effectively special teams specialists.
This needs to be pinned/stickied at the top
With all that’s transpired, we are 3 plays away (L’s vs Rams, Cardinals & Seahawks) from being 8-4
A lot of “fans” are calling for Shanahan to be fired. I do think Shanahan needs to diversify his playbook for other players but he shouldn’t be fired because of a bad season due to season ending injuries and two players leaving for personal reasons. Just take this one as a loss, hope for a high draft pick and fight harder next season. Hope everyone is healthy and stays healthy.
And bring back Saleh! The defense is atrocious.
I’ve been talking about deebos decline since the playoffs last year. He’s done. Glad we only gave him a three year extension and not a 4 or 5 year extension.
“I’m not gonna read all that. WE need to fire everyone.”
I actually feel like having an “off” season will be good in the long run. It’s showing where our vulnerabilities are. Giving the middle and bottom of the roster a chance. Now we can go into 2025 with some ammo to improve where it’ll do the most good.
The biggest issue in my opinion is the fact that Kyle Shanahan can not keep a team healthy. Seems like every year he has been coach, the Niners lead the league in games missed do to injuries
My wife’s a lifer 49ers. I’m a lifer Charger. I wanted to hop here and tell you, release Staley and the curse will be lifted!