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Next »Coaches
49ers: Wrong time to mature
It's too bad Mike Singletary didn't start being a calm, somewhat measured coach earlier in the season, say maybe in training camp. Players on the sideline no longer need a spit shield when talking to a once raging Singletary on the sideline. Not only is Singletary's demeanor changed but it seems to be filtering down to his team.
Now the 49ers are actually anticipating what the other team is going to do. That's what Brian Westbrook said about his career-long 62-yard touchdown reception that sealed the 49ers' 40-21 win over Seattle. Coaches told the offense to look for a "46" front, where the defense puts nine to 10 players on the line of scrimmage, with many of them bent on blitzing.
Seattle did exactly that. The 49ers knew the Seattle blitz so well, Alex Smith didn't even need to audible. The entire offense knew what Seattle was going to do. Westbrook went on a short route, Alex Smith threw to him quickly and Westbrook had one man to beat to the end zone. Typically, that's what other teams do to the 49ers - they out scheme them by using their own aggressiveness against them. Now, it seems that the 49ers are no longer living on Singletary's wide-eyed emotion, but rather on a more sustainable calm.
Read More '49ers: Wrong time to mature' »| December 13 2010 at 04:50 PM
Mike Singletary - Why delusional?
Why would Mike Singletary volunteer that the 49ers are going to make the playoffs? Why would Jed York say the same thing a few weeks ago when it's clear this team is fraught with a myriad of problems?
One motivation maybe the overwhelming desire by these two to express confidence and instill faith in the players and fans. Also York and Singletary are probably tired of being questioned and scrutinized. It makes them all the more susceptible to drinking their own kool aide. When fans and the media harp on the team's horrendous start and recite the mistakes the team continually makes on game days, York and Singletary seem to be saying - we're not only going to stop making the mistakes, we'll go one further - we'll tell you we're making the playoffs.
Such comments make everyone believe they're delusional, that they are so blinded by wanting the team to be good, that they want to force that vision upon everyone.
Conversely, players seem to have a better handle on reality and they seem to know what to say. Tight end Vernon Davis was asked in London if it was tough to even get ready for practice when things are going so badly.
"It's been tough because we've been losing," Davis admitted. "It's not easy to get going coming off a losing streak. But the one thing you can do is to continue to encourage your teammates, be there for them, be a leader."
Read More 'Mike Singletary - Why delusional?' »| October 25 2010 at 02:21 PM
John Fox - Will the 49ers look at him closely?
It's bon voyage day at the 49ers. The team packed up and shipped off for what they hope will be 10 fun-filled days playing against win-less Carolina and then the injury-depleted Broncos on England's bless-ed plot. It's a trip that will likely make-or-break Mike Singletary. Lose one of those games and Singletary's and the 49ers' season could be over. Win and they could be infused with confidence before facing the Rams and Bucs at home and then the Cardinals on the road.
Next two games key for Mike Singletary.
This is likely the only opportunity for the team to turn it around. But if they don't, the top brass might be looking closely at Panthers coach John Fox. He's in the last year of his contract and his comments hinting that Carolina ownership should have signed some free-agent talent before the season, makes you think he wants out. Pro Football Weekly has already connected Fox with possible job openings in Cleveland, New York (if Tom Coughlin retires) and Oakland. The Raiders would seem to be an odd choice after Fox resigned as the team's defensive coordinator in 1996 with one game left in the preseason. I don't know if Al Davis would have him back.
The bigger question is, would the 49ers want Fox if Singletary is fired? He would bring needed experience to the operation and he's had success. The Panthers nearly won the Super Bowl following the 2003 season, losing 32-29 on Patriot kicker Adam Venatieri's last minute field goal. Fox has also had disappointments like the blowout playoff loss to Arizona in 2008 and this current season. The Panthers didn't have the same expectations as the 49ers, nevertheless, their young players haven't developed this year under Fox.
Interestingly, Fox could make himself more of a 49ers candidate by beating his possible future employer this Sunday.
Read More 'John Fox - Will the 49ers look at him closely?' »| October 22 2010 at 02:31 PM
Keaton Kristick promoted
Linebacker Keaton Kristick was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster in order to replace safety Michael Lewis. This is a good move by the 49ers; they don't have enough linebackers and fullbacks on special teams and that hurts them.
The team also hired former Falcons linebackers coach Chris Beake as their offensive assistant. He replaced Jason Michael, who was promoted to quarterbacks coach following the firing of Jimmy Raye. Beake worked for the 49ers for six seasons in various capacities from 1998-2003.
Beake was in the coach's booth in Atlanta, sitting next new offensive coordinator Mike Johnson.
| October 05 2010 at 01:06 PM
Jimmy Raye - the aftermath
Just when the 49ers figure out how to call their plays efficiently, they fire their offensive coordinator. All the 49ers needed to do was line up and let the defense call the play for them, which reportedly took place in Kansas City. OK, that was a cheap shot, but it signals a time to discuss the Jimmy Raye aftermath.
Raye's firing in the wake of the 49ers horrendous 31-10 loss in Kansas City, means the only other move the team can make to shake up their offense is a change at quarterback. Alex Smith knows it and that might explain his lack of enthusiasm when interviewed Monday about the coordinator change to quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson. In fact, Smith might have thought he was going to get fired or at least demoted after the Kansas City debacle.
Did Jimmy Raye try and take on too much?
"I was ready for anything," Smith said. "When you're 0-3 and not playing to the level you're expected to be playing, some changes are going to be made."
Smith, I believe, felt bad for Raye and also possibly felt he had let him down.
When asked if he thought Raye was a scapegoat, Smith said, " I think that is how this might get spun, but we're certainly all involved and all accountable for this. We got out-played as much as we got out-coached on Sunday. There's no doubt about that. If some guys are thinking that or viewing it like that, it's convenient, it's not the truth. We're all involved in this."
Smith went on to say that no one knows more about offense than Raye and he said the offense isn't in need of an overhaul.
Reporters had to coax any excitement he might feel with the coordinator change and the possibility of adding more vitality to the game planning and play calling.
But Smith wasn't about to say anything that could be construed as a negative against Raye even if he didn't believe Raye was a great coordinator. After Raye's relentless support of Smith during their year and a half together, Smith probably feels indebted to him. Raye and Mike Singletary were in charge of re-constructing Smith's confidence after it was burned to the ground by Mike Nolan. If nothing else, Raye did seem to accomplish that task.
Read More 'Jimmy Raye - the aftermath' »| September 28 2010 at 04:11 PM
Mike Johnson hiring - was it the right move to make?
Leaving aside the desperate nature of firing offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and the 49ers style of crisis management, the question must be asked - was firing Raye and promoting Mike Johnson the right move to make?
After seeing the spark in the eye of tight end Vernon Davis when he talked about Johnson, this might have been the way to go.
Past coaches and offensive coordinators made the mistake of casting the 49ers as a bludgeoning run team. Every time they say that and try to institute it, the 49ers wind up mired in the La Brea tar pits of offensive football.
Mike Nolan said he wanted to run in 2007 and the 49ers finished last in the league in offensive yards. When Nolan first became the coach in 2005, he said he wanted to run. Again the 49ers finished last in offense.
Last year, the 49ers were on their way to more offensive futility when they made the change to Alex Smith from Shaun Hill. Only after Smith softened defenses with shotgun formations and more passing, did running lanes begin to creak open at the end of the season.
The 49ers need to be multiple, with the ability to kick into the shotgun hurry-up and a twin tight-end power game at a moment's notice. This offense has never been able to declare itself as a run or pass team. What the 49ers need is that tricky concept that only the most talented of coordinators know how to capture - balance.
Read More 'Mike Johnson hiring - was it the right move to make?' »| September 27 2010 at 03:38 PM
49ers drama -There is a solution
If you're anywhere near the 49ers facility in Santa Clara, watch out for falling sky. That's the way it seems with even the national media weighing in on the latest 49ers' travails, which includes their communication issues and the fallout from their overly emotive coach. Oh, and the other matter of getting blown out by a team they were supposed to handle with ease in the season opener.
There's a way out for Raye.
First of all, the 49ers aren't as bad as they showed in Seattle. Additionally, the issue of getting the play radioed in to Alex Smith has an easy solution, despite the damning characterization of offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye in Jason Cole's Yahoo! column. If you haven't read it, a source or sources told Cole that Raye often doesn't get the complete play called and that he takes too long to call it.
This I don't doubt. In dealing with the media, Raye speaks methodically, and he often pauses to consider questions. Methodical is not a characteristic you want in a play caller, particularly one in the booth. But there's a simple solution - have Alex Smith use a wrist band. That way, Raye doesn't have to fumble over the call, he simply calls a number that Smith can cross-check on a wrist band. Smith seemed amenable to that idea when he went over options on Monday.
Putting Raye on the sidelines would be a disaster. If he's a little unorganized, having to deal with the hurly-burly of the bench would only make matters worse. And what if there's bad weather? Can you imagine Raye groping for plays while his eye glasses fog? Nightmare.
Read More '49ers drama -There is a solution' »| September 15 2010 at 04:32 PM
Conversations with Coordinators
The 49ers trotted out the coordinators today before their second minicamp practice for rookies and young players. Here are the highlights of what Greg Manusky and Jimmy Raye had to say.
MANUSKY:
PASS RUSHER: Parys Haralson, Manny Lawson, Bowling Green rookie free agent Diyral Briggs, newly-signed veteran Marques Harris, and the perpetually injured Jay Moore and Ahmad Brooks, who was claimed from the Bengals last year, will all compete to be the team's edge rushers. Manusky said he'd love to get 10 or 12 sacks out of all of them, which obviously isn't going to happen. He also said that Lawson's knee injury really held him back last season and that he could develop into a pass rusher with a full training camp. Harris was coached by Manusky in San Diego, where Harris signed as a free agent. Last year, he made 2.5 sacks and three starts.
BROWN VS. HARRIS: No this isn't a divorce proceeding, it's the most noteworthy contest on defense with third-year player Tarell Brown squaring off against 14th-year starter Walt Harris for the right cornerback spot. "I definitely want that spot," Brown said. "I'll push Walt and Walt will push me." Brown also said staying consistent will be his biggest challenge. For Brown to win the job, he'll have to overcome Harris's wealth of experience, which is why Brown is thankful he's fully healthy this year. An injury sustained in the 2007 season finale kept him out of last spring's minicamps, OTA's and the off-season program.
MCDONALD OUT: Manusky said the knee surgery to reconstruct Ray McDonald's medial collateral ligament will keep the defensive end sidelined through training camp and the first part of the season. McDonald's playing time began to erode last year while his pain increased.
SHIFTING LINEMEN: Isaac Sopoaga, Aubrayo Franklin and last year's top pick, Kentwan Balmer, will rotate at nose tackle, with Balmer and Sopoaga playing end. Sopoaga, for now, is still the starting left end.
ON BALMER'S DEVELOPMENT: When Balmer was in the game last season, did anyone notice? Manusky hopes that will change this year. "I think the hardest position to play is on the defensive line because there's so much technique involved. ... There's always a transition that occurs between the first to the second year." We'll see.
RAYE:
SMITH VS. HILL: Forget that this is a rookie camp, the competition between these two vets is on! Raye said he isn't really thinking about the quarterback duel at this stage. He first wants his players familar with his offense and its language before focusing on a starting quarterback, and like Mike Singletary yesterday, he didn't provide a time line for when the decision will be made. However, you get the feeling the coaching staff would like a starter before the start of training camp.
HIS OFFENSE: Raye admitted that he doesn't know what his run-pass ratio might be. But he did say he wanted his players to tough-minded, which immediately conjures up inside runs, dust clouds and grass stains. But Raye assured that being tough-minded doesn't necessarily mean the team will run every down.
| May 02 2009 at 01:18 PM
Wrap it Up
And now for the minicamp wrap, which sounds like a new food item at the local golf course. While I wasn't in attendance for Saturday, I kept tabs on what was going on and was there for Friday's festivities.
Here are some observations:
-Michael Robinson got lots of reps and he looked good as a receiver and a runner. Could his performance influence the team's decision-making in the upcoming draft?
-Frank Gore didn't look good and in fact, appeared a little disinterested. He didn't run out his plays and on pass receptions he'd go 10 yards and just stop, although that attitude isn't likely to linger into training camp. On another note, I said the 49ers might be more effective as a passing team now, with the development of their young receivers and the relative stability they received from Shaun Hill last year at quarterback. But Gore remains a potent force. Consider these statistics: Since 2006, Gore ranks second in rushing yards with 3,833 behind LaDainian Tomlinson's 4,399 and third in overall yards (5,127) to Brian Westbrook (5,358) and Tomlinson (5,808). He's also first in yards per carry average (4.72) since 2006. He's also one of those rare complete backs who can run, catch and pass protect. Nevertheless, Gore would benefit from a strong passing game.
-Cornerback Tarell Brown got little action. In fact, those who regularly cover the team wondered if he was even in the 49ers' house on Saturday (he was).
-Vernon Davis impressed in the passing game. Shaun Hill threw him a 10-yard hook, and when the ball came to him, Davis caught the pass with nary a sound, displaying soft hands. Could that be a harbinger that the frying pans he's been using for hands the last few years have finally been locked in the cupboard? Davis also looks sleeker, which could mean that he's being built more for receiving than blocking.
-The 49ers don't appear that interested in local products. They didn't send a lot of staff to the Cal and San Jose State workouts. However, keep in mind that the team annually hosts a workout for the locals just before the draft.
-The Anti-Warner. While Kurt Warner said God told him to stay in Arizona 45 minutes into this visit with the 49ers, free-agent defensive lineman Demetric Evans had the opposite experience. With his wife in residency at George Washington University, Evans dearly wanted to stay with the Redskins. But when he visited the 49ers, he was deeply impressed by Mike Singletary's personal touch. Singletary toured Evans through the locker room and facilities and Evans liked what he had to say. Wide receiver Brandon Jones mentioned Singletary's strong religious faith as a reason to become a 49er (that and $5.4 million guaranteed can be mighty persuasive).
Demetric Evans was impressed by Mike Singletary on his free agent visit.
-More free-agent controversy. A source within the team told Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter that coaches weren't consulted before Singletary and general manager Scot McCloughan signed free agents that the coaches didn't necessarily embrace. Singletary was asked about the report on Friday. "We talked to the position coaches," Singletary said. "Position coaches are like everybody else, they're going to have opinions but at the end of the day, it's something we'll make sure we're on the same side, the same page. ... That's something we'll handle in house and we've got a good house."
Tswhatever said the interview I did with Ralph Barbieri on Friday wasn't saved on the KNBR web site - maybe I'm just too controversial for them. It came about 90 minutes after Barbieri's somewhat testy interview with Singletary. Basically I said fans should be excited about the 49ers based on their strong finish last year, the team's discovery of Hill at quarterback and the players embrace and belief in Singletary. But fans' enthusiasm has been dampened by the month-long offensive coordinator search, the underwhelming free-agent signings, the courtship of Warner, Matthew Stafford's criticism of the team's interview process and so on. Taken together, they seem to expose an inexperienced organization fraught with missteps and miscommunications. Nevertheless, Barbieri and I agreed that none of it will matter if the team succeeds in September and beyond. Also, I said that Singletary would benefit from seeking public relations advice. Coaches often look upon their duty with the media as last on their check list, and it certainly shouldn't be no. 1. But Singletary could have avoided much of the off-season criticism if he was just a little bit more forthcoming and he's in danger of slipping into Nolan-speak, where he simply uses questions to put forth his agenda while leaving real concerns unanswered. But, again, none of this will matter a lick if the 49ers win.
| March 22 2009 at 01:07 PM
Analysis: Raye of Hope?
It's so easy to ridicule the 49ers for their hiring of Jimmy Raye II as their offensive coordinator. The 49ers officially announced that they've agreed to terms with Raye; he'll be in next week to sign his deal. We've all perused Raye's history by now: In his multiple stints as a coordinator his offense has only finished in the top ten once, only one of the teams he coordinated went to the playoffs, and he hasn't stayed more three years in any coordinating job.
The 49ers obviously chose stability over excellence given their recent history of fleeing coordinators. The team was stuck. It was a bear market for coordinators with five teams looking for one at the same time and the 49ers job might have been the least attractive. The Bay Area is expensive, Mike Singletary is a frightfully inexperienced coach who wants to pound the rock, and the 49ers might not have been offering attractive compensation seeing as Singletary isn't making that much.
Overlaying all of it was a desire for continuity on offense; for the new coordinator to stay for more than a year and to lay down the bricks and mortar for an offensive system that could be passed down. On that last point, is Raye that kind of coordinator? If he had a unique and successful system he wouldn't be a coordinating nomad.
The nature of search also gives one pause. They brought Scott Linehan back and he rejected the job; they brought Hue Jackson in for a second time the same day they interviewed Raye and they hired Raye, even though Jackson's short coordinating history and reputation with players is stellar. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Singletary might answer them today with Raye at 1:00 when both are scheduled for a conference call.
Looking back on the search, one wonders if the job was difficult to fill partially because of Singletary. Was he too heavy-handed in what he wanted? Are younger offensive coordinators realizing that the game is changing radically away from the run game with the prevalence of the spread offense in college? Are the 49ers going back to the dark years of the Mike Nolan offenses when they tried futilely to control the clock?
Singletary won himself the head coaching job by allowing his coaches to coach. He was constantly saying how grateful he was to have his coaching staff. Now that he has the job permanently, Singletary must retain his humility or he will fail.
One reason Bill Walsh succeeded because he knew Bobb McKittrick knew more about the offensive line than he did, it was the same with Bill McPherson and the linebackers and George Seiftert with the secondary. For all his brilliance, Walsh trusted his coaches. Young head coaches have fantasized about getting a head coaching job for so long they often have entrenched ideas about how things should be, and they often don't consider that others know more than they do.
That was one of Mike Nolan's flaws. When he named Jim Hostler his offensive coordinator, Nolan meddled in the offense relentlessly and some players will say Nolan had to more to do with the offensive problems that year than Hostler.
Certainly, Singletary must set the overall strategy for his offense, but then he should also leave the tactics to those who know them better. One of Singletary's finest attributes is his gut, his instincts and his accurate assessment for the big picture. He knew immediately that the 49ers needed to let the younger players play, that they needed to get stubborn with their 3-4 defense, and that they needed a change at quarterback. However, going on gut too much can make leave a head coach making decisions more on feel than substance. For example, deciding to back up a scout's assessment on drafting Alex Smith because he likes the look in his eye, or hiring an offensive coordinator (Hostler) because he came up with his own game plans. Nolan liked that because he did the same thing before he got his first coordinator job.
The sudden hiring of Raye looks like a going-on-gut hire, and who knows it may work out. But one can only hope that offensive coordinator search and the Raye hire wasn't an example of more head-coaching hubris, because we all know where that will lead.
| January 30 2009 at 12:37 PM
Veteran 49ers writers Kevin Lynch and David White analyze the stats with an insider's insight.
By Kevin Lynch, David White, Read Bios
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