Official San Francisco 49ers thread

[Kenage]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

I think they should move down in the draft and get a D-Lineman and a real LT. It was foolish to draft Harris who played RT in college and think he could move to the left side. He will play better on the right and if you get a quality LT in the draft the whole O-line gets better. Getting Newberry back at center and having some combo of Heitman, Smiley, Kosier at guard will make th line more than decent and maybe give whoever is back at QB some time to complete a pass.

[zappa55]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

I like the idea of Derrick Johnson and Julian Peterson coming of the outside and a combo of Derek Smith, Jamie Winborn, and Jeff Ulbrich on the inside. I think Anthony Adams and Bryant Young could excell at the DE position with Sopoaga at NT. They could also pick up some low cost free agents for the D-Line. That leaves Carter and Engleberger out of position. I am curious to see if Carter couldn't play OLB and sometimes they could switch to a 4-3 defense by moving him on the line and sliding everyone else down. Carter could be a Willie McGinest type player for the 49ers.

[zappa55]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

I like the idea of Derrick Johnson and Julian Peterson coming of the outside and a combo of Derek Smith, Jamie Winborn, and Jeff Ulbrich on the inside. I think Anthony Adams and Bryant Young could excell at the DE position with Sopoaga at NT. They could also pick up some low cost free agents for the D-Line. That leaves Carter and Engleberger out of position. I am curious to see if Carter couldn't play OLB and sometimes they could switch to a 4-3 defense by moving him on the line and sliding everyone else down. Carter could be a Willie McGinest type player for the 49ers.

[remix]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

New Look For Defense
Tuesday, February 08, 2005 Link

When Mike Nolan hired Mike McCarthy as offensive coordinator, it meant the West Coast Offense was coming back home to the Bay Area.

When Mike Nolan hired Billy Davis as defensive coordinator, it did not mean the West Coast Defense was coming back home. In fact, after decades upon decades of running the 4-3, it appears that the 49ers are about to enter a new defensive era.

Say hello to the 3-4.

“It’s the strength of our team. If you look at our defense and count the number of d-lineman versus linebackers in quality, that is assuming that Julian Peterson is back. Now if he is not, that could change the complexion real quick,” Nolan said. “But structurally, at least if you start 3-4, you could jump 4-3 in a heartbeat and never miss a lick. You can just keep on going. But, if you start the other way and you say, ‘boy, I sure would like to go back to a 3-4,’ you’re kind of dead in the water. It ain’t gonna fly.”

Flying around the field is one thing the 49ers linebackers do well. Last season Jeff Ulbrich and Derek Smith led the team in tackles. Add a Pro Bowler in Peterson along with the hyper-quick Jamie Winborn, and you have the makings of a unit perfectly suited for the 3-4.

And that leads us to the addition of Davis as defensive coordinator. His previous experience coaching linebackers with the Falcons and Giants was a plus in his hiring, as was his years of experience with both the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

“It’s my 13 year that I’m going into and I’ve had nine years in the 3-4 and four in the 4-3. Most recently with the New York Giants, Tim Lewis came from the Pittsburgh Steelers which you know is a 3-4 defense, the Bill Cowher scheme,” Davis said.

Perception is that you can’t run the 3-4 without having mammoth defensive lineman to play in front of the linebackers, keeping them free to roam and create havoc. Nolan feels that with Isaac Sopoaga and Anthony Adams, the 49ers have two people suited for the demanding nose tackle position.

But what of the other spots? Bryant Young remains a dominant force inside despite weighing in around 295 pounds – a lightweight by current standards in the NFL – but John Engelberger and Andre Carter check-in around the 265-pound mark.

So can you play the 3-4 with what are considered “undersized” linemen?

“Yes you can,” Davis said emphatically. “A lot of the 3-4 linebackers that you end up drafting and making into outside backers are ends that were in college that were special pass-rushers, very athletic and a little bit of tweener type; not quite heavy enough to be a defensive line.

“So, they find a home a lot of times in the 3-4 because they have the ability to rush and that is the beauty of a 3-4. The offense is really on their heels trying to figure out not only who your fourth rusher is, but also who your fifth might possibly be. When you have those guys that are athletic and dynamic enough to both rush some ability and really cause some problems for an offense and that are also athletic enough to drop, you really gain a faster more athletic defense that really makes a lot of things happen. It increases a lot of havoc on the offense.”

[remix]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

New Look For Defense
Tuesday, February 08, 2005 Link

When Mike Nolan hired Mike McCarthy as offensive coordinator, it meant the West Coast Offense was coming back home to the Bay Area.

When Mike Nolan hired Billy Davis as defensive coordinator, it did not mean the West Coast Defense was coming back home. In fact, after decades upon decades of running the 4-3, it appears that the 49ers are about to enter a new defensive era.

Say hello to the 3-4.

“It’s the strength of our team. If you look at our defense and count the number of d-lineman versus linebackers in quality, that is assuming that Julian Peterson is back. Now if he is not, that could change the complexion real quick,” Nolan said. “But structurally, at least if you start 3-4, you could jump 4-3 in a heartbeat and never miss a lick. You can just keep on going. But, if you start the other way and you say, ‘boy, I sure would like to go back to a 3-4,’ you’re kind of dead in the water. It ain’t gonna fly.”

Flying around the field is one thing the 49ers linebackers do well. Last season Jeff Ulbrich and Derek Smith led the team in tackles. Add a Pro Bowler in Peterson along with the hyper-quick Jamie Winborn, and you have the makings of a unit perfectly suited for the 3-4.

And that leads us to the addition of Davis as defensive coordinator. His previous experience coaching linebackers with the Falcons and Giants was a plus in his hiring, as was his years of experience with both the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

“It’s my 13 year that I’m going into and I’ve had nine years in the 3-4 and four in the 4-3. Most recently with the New York Giants, Tim Lewis came from the Pittsburgh Steelers which you know is a 3-4 defense, the Bill Cowher scheme,” Davis said.

Perception is that you can’t run the 3-4 without having mammoth defensive lineman to play in front of the linebackers, keeping them free to roam and create havoc. Nolan feels that with Isaac Sopoaga and Anthony Adams, the 49ers have two people suited for the demanding nose tackle position.

But what of the other spots? Bryant Young remains a dominant force inside despite weighing in around 295 pounds – a lightweight by current standards in the NFL – but John Engelberger and Andre Carter check-in around the 265-pound mark.

So can you play the 3-4 with what are considered “undersized” linemen?

“Yes you can,” Davis said emphatically. “A lot of the 3-4 linebackers that you end up drafting and making into outside backers are ends that were in college that were special pass-rushers, very athletic and a little bit of tweener type; not quite heavy enough to be a defensive line.

“So, they find a home a lot of times in the 3-4 because they have the ability to rush and that is the beauty of a 3-4. The offense is really on their heels trying to figure out not only who your fourth rusher is, but also who your fifth might possibly be. When you have those guys that are athletic and dynamic enough to both rush some ability and really cause some problems for an offense and that are also athletic enough to drop, you really gain a faster more athletic defense that really makes a lot of things happen. It increases a lot of havoc on the offense.”

[Purefootball02]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

I cant wait for the 3-4 next year

[Purefootball02]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

I cant wait for the 3-4 next year

[Brandwin]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

Rice set to retire...

Unless Niners come calling.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...ts/10884244.htm

``I have gone to three teams,'' he said. ``I don't want to go to another team. So I'm pretty much prepared.''

With one exception: ``If the 49ers said, `Let's give him a farewell tour,' I'd do that.''

He said he has talked with Brandon Lloyd and Cedrick Wilson, and thinks they'd work as a trio.

``I just wish a team would say, `OK, he's 42. We're just going to let him play,' '' Rice said. ``If I could get one good year in and not have any handcuffs on, I probably would, after that season, just walk away from it.''

[Brandwin]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

Rice set to retire...

Unless Niners come calling.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...ts/10884244.htm

``I have gone to three teams,'' he said. ``I don't want to go to another team. So I'm pretty much prepared.''

With one exception: ``If the 49ers said, `Let's give him a farewell tour,' I'd do that.''

He said he has talked with Brandon Lloyd and Cedrick Wilson, and thinks they'd work as a trio.

``I just wish a team would say, `OK, he's 42. We're just going to let him play,' '' Rice said. ``If I could get one good year in and not have any handcuffs on, I probably would, after that season, just walk away from it.''

[remix]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

Honestly, I'd love to see Rice in a 49er uni one last time.. They should give the boot to Conway and sign Rice for a reduced pay, he'd be great for the young guys to look up to.

[remix]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

Honestly, I'd love to see Rice in a 49er uni one last time.. They should give the boot to Conway and sign Rice for a reduced pay, he'd be great for the young guys to look up to.

[zappa55]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

With the hiring of Sullivan to be the WR coach and an addition of Rice would probably cause a dramatic increase in the play of the young WRs. Bring back Rice for 1 year to teach these young guys how to work hard.

[zappa55]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

With the hiring of Sullivan to be the WR coach and an addition of Rice would probably cause a dramatic increase in the play of the young WRs. Bring back Rice for 1 year to teach these young guys how to work hard.

[Kenage]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

If Rice was willing to be the No. 2 or 3 WR I think it would be worth it for the Niners to sign him. He can still make some plays and his work ethic in practice would have a great affect on the young WR. I think the Niners should not re-sign Wilson and go with the young guys with Rice.

[Kenage]

Re: Official San Francisco 49ers thread

If Rice was willing to be the No. 2 or 3 WR I think it would be worth it for the Niners to sign him. He can still make some plays and his work ethic in practice would have a great affect on the young WR. I think the Niners should not re-sign Wilson and go with the young guys with Rice.