The problem with motivation is that when it comes from the wrong person, it carries as much weight as loose leaf paper.
Mike Singletary is a great motivator, but it appears that nobody’s listening anymore. The 49ers nearly pulled off a great upset on Monday night against the Saints, but then followed it up with an uninspired 31-10 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.
Today, the first axe fell in San Francisco as offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye was fired. The move was hardly shocking when you consider how inept the Niners have been on that side of the ball this year. They currently rank 20th in total offense but are averaging just 12.7 points-per-game, which ranks them 31st in the NFL. There have also been reports that Kansas City defenders were calling out San Francisco’s plays yesterday before the snap, which is troubling to say the least. Some offensive coordinators can be predictable in their playcalling, but there’s a much bigger problem at hand if your opponent knows what you’re going to do before the snap.
But back to Singletary. The 49ers no longer seem to be responding with his methods and even appear to be tuning him out. Fans and the media like his post-game pressers and his intense persona, but if it doesn’t work with the players then none of it doesn’t matters.
There haven’t been any reports to suggest that Singletary will lose his job, but it’s not like the 49ers have it any easier over the next two weeks. They’re in Atlanta this Sunday and then host the Eagles in Week 5. They catch a break with the Raiders, Panthers and Broncos in Weeks 6 through 8, but if they continue to play as poorly as they did in Kansas City yesterday then it won’t matter who they’re playing.
Quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson will replace Raye as offensive coordinator, so maybe he’ll provide a spark. But even if he does, the players still have to believe in what Singletary is preaching because if not, then Raye won’t be the last to go.
For those that stayed up to watch the final two minutes of the 49ers’ loss to the Saints on Monday night, you were treated to a rare sight: Alex Smith on the verge of leading his team to victory.
Granted, the 49ers could only tie the game when Smith led them on an 8-play, 82-yard touchdown drive that took only 53 seconds off the clock in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. But the key is that he put them in position to potentially win the game at some point by throwing the ball with pinpoint accuracy, scrambling for extra yards and making smart decisions to keep the chains moving.
In the end, Drew Brees just had too much time on the clock not to lead the Saints to victory. That’s what Brees does – he finds ways to win. And now it’s Smith’s turn to do that very thing.
The 49ers have to win the NL West this year, period. The Rams are rebuilding, the Seahawks are short on overall talent and the Cardinals don’t have a quarterback. Thus, it’s Smith and the Niners’ division to lose.
That said, they’re already 0-2 and now have to go on the road this Sunday to face a 2-0 Chiefs team brimming with confidence right now. Furthermore, Smith is just 16-24 as a starting quarterback, which is why the time is now for him to step up.
While some aren’t enamored with his arm strength, he proved on Monday night that he could throw the ball. Believe it or not, he’s also one of the smartest quarterbacks in the league and this season is the first time in his career that he’s had the same offensive coordinator (Jimmy Raye) and playbook for two years straight.
But he has to win. That’s what great quarterbacks do and while Smith is far from great, he doesn’t have to be at this point. The 49ers don’t come without some glaring weaknesses (i.e. two rookies are starting on the offensive line and some of the decision-making by Raye and head coach Mike Singletary is questionable at best), but the ’08 Lions could win this division. It’s there for the taking.
Smith doesn’t have to be a Pro Bowler and he certainly doesn’t have to live up to his draft status (No. 1 overall). He shouldn’t have to worry about what Aaron Rodgers (who was taken 23 spots after Smith in 2005) is doing in Green Bay either.
But he does have to start fulfilling some of the expectations that have been laid out for him. He has plenty of weapons around him and he’s comfortable in the offense; thus, there are no more excuses. Win now.
Following the 49ers’ 31-6 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, head coach Mike Singletary reportedly “called out” quarterback Alex Smith and receiver Michael Crabtree for their performances according to CSN Bay Area News.
“Alex (Smith) is our quarterback,” Singletary declared. “At no time did I think about putting David Carr into the football game.”
That is what Singletary said in his remarks to the media. But in the 49ers’ locker room, Singletary “called out” Smith, receiver Michael Crabtree and the offensive line, a team source told Comcast SportsNet after the game.
By all accounts, Smith had a very good offseason. He demonstrated a greater knowledge of the 49ers’ offense and earned his status as a team captain. But there was no carryover into the regular-season opener.
Smith and Crabtree certainly did not grow as a tandem during training camp. Their work together was limited, as Crabtree never stepped onto the field during the exhibition season because of a neck strain.
Crabtree was called out by teammate Vernon Davis for his perceived lack of effort during the offseason, so it’s not a total surprise to see everything come to a head on Sunday. Smith’s work ethic hasn’t been questioned, but the bottom line is that if he and his top receiver aren’t on the same page then that’s a problem. Obviously Singletary went to lengths to talk to both players following the game, so hopefully the team’s issues will be ironed out by Week 2.
Either way, it wasn’t a very pretty start to the season for a team that is expected to challenge for the NFC West crown this year.
After he displayed the speed of a wide receiver and the strength of an offensive line at the 2006 scouting combine, there were plenty of people who thought Vernon Davis was going to be something special in the NFL.
But through his first three seasons, he had caught only 103 passes for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns. Those numbers would have been fine for a tight end who predominantly blocked, but certainly not for a player that many thought would be a weekly mismatch for his opponents in the passing game.
The media started to get on Davis in his second year because they could see a bust in the making. He wasn’t producing on the field and even worse, his work ethic and maturity had come into question as well.
Then, following a 34-13 loss to the Seahawks in late October of 2008, this happened:
It was the day that Vernon Davis got a fire lit under his ass by one of the best motivators in the game today.
Last year, Davis played in all 16 games and racked up 78 receptions for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns – by far his best season as a pro. He still displayed some of the mental mistakes that have haunted him throughout his career, but because he worked hard and produced, he recently earned a $37 million contract extension that includes $23 million in guaranteed money.
For those that are unaware, that contract now makes him the highest paid tight end in league history.
Now, I’m not going to debate whether or not he’s done enough to earn that kind of money. I’ve written many times before that this is just how the NFL salary structure works – the latest to sign get paid the most. That’s just how it is.
But it’s interesting that Davis was essentially a bust for three seasons in San Francisco before Singletary became the head coach. He has always had the physical tools and ability to succeed in the NFL, but before Singletary arrived he wasn’t focused or motivated enough to become great (not saying he’s great now, but he’s working towards it, at least). And while he still has a long way to go, he’s become a leader under Singletary and someone whose work ethic is now admired in the locker room.
Davis can thank his head coach for that, as well as his phat new contract.
While it’s counterpart in the AFC is likely in store for a rough year as well, the NFC West is by far the worst division in football. The Cardinals are going through a major transition year, the Rams will be rebuilding for a couple of years and nobody quite knows what to make of Pete Carroll’s Seahawks.
That leaves the 49ers, who don’t come without their weaknesses but is definitely the team to beat this year in the West. Now it’s just up to Mike Singletary’s squad to execute.
Here’s how I see things shaking out in the NFC West in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season.
1. 49ers
What to Like: As you would expect from a Mike Singletary-led team, the 49ers can play a little defense. They finished a very average 15th in total defense last season, but stats don’t tell the whole story. The Niners finished sixth against the run last year by allowing just 97 yards per game, largely due to the play of inside linebacker Patrick Willis, who led the league in tackles. Takeo Spikes continues to be a steady veteran presence and nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin is highly underrated. Staying on that side of the ball, Justin Smith may not put up flashy numbers, but he’s easily one of the best 3-4 ends in the league. Offensively, the Niners have a solid core in Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and second-year player Michael Crabtree. With more consistency at quarterback, this won’t be the dreadful unit it was at times last season. What Not to Like: The offensive line is still a concern, although removing Adam Snyder from the starting right guard spot is a plus. There are high hopes for Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, but it’s usually not wise to rely on one rookie lineman, nevertheless two rookie linemen. There have also been mixed reviews on Alex Smith this offseason. Some think he’s ready to turn the corner, while others believe he’ll probably be just as inconsistent as ever. OC Jimmy Raye will try to balance the pass more with the run this year, which is a good thing because the team’s strengths is at running back. But Smith still has to step up and make plays when opponents successfully take away the run. Defensively, this is a unit that gave up 229.4 yards per game through the air last season, which means it needs better production out of Nate Clements, Shawntae Spencer and especially, free safety Dashon Goldson (who struggled in coverage last season). Keep Your Eye On:The two rookie O-linemen
Iupati and Davis might be the difference between this team challenging for a division title and it failing to deliver on high expectations. Both players are excellent prospects but they’re going to have to grow up in a hurry because this team expects to compete this season. The Final Word: If the Niners played in a more competitive division I’d be saying something along the lines of, “Improving team, but will probably come up just short of making the postseason.” But since they’ll be able to feast on the trash that is the NFC West, there’s little to no excuse for San Fran to win a division title this year. I’m not completely sold on Smith turning a new leaf, but there’s enough talent on both sides of the ball for this team to produce a 9-7 or 10-6 record. I don’t foresee them advancing in the playoffs unless a couple of players overachieve, but I still think this is a solid football team and you know they’re going to compete every week under Singletary. Plus, don’t forget that the year the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl, they were highly average in the regular season, only to turn it on during the playoffs. I’m not saying…I’m just saying.
Balmer quickly fell out of favor in San Francisco after he failed to show up for practice last week. Head coach Mike Singletary had granted Balmer a couple of days off to deal with “personal issues,” although nobody knows what those issues were. He was expected to show up on Wednesday, but he didn’t and also decided to skip Thursday and Friday as well. He also ripped the organization by saying, “People are making a big deal about nothing,” and “I feel like ht 49ers could do a better job of saying that, but it’s not my place to say.”
The 2008 first round pick was on the bubble to make the 49ers’ roster heading into his third season. After barely playing as a rookie, he didn’t show much improvement in his second season before tearing his labrum. He would have had to outplay Demetric Evans to keep his job as a backup at the defensive end position.
In Seattle, Balmer provides the Seahawks with depth and is versatile enough to fill in as a backup at either the end of tackle position. Of course, he has to show up first.
Merry training camp season, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the 49ers and their growing concerns along the offensive line.
The NFC West has emerged as the weakest division in football. The Rams are atrocious, the Cardinals are in transition mode and nobody quite knows what to make of the new-look Seahawks.
That’s why the 49ers are so intriguing. People have fallen in love with Mike Singletary’s coaching style and are encouraged about the development of former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith. They also have a great talent at running back in Frank Gore, a suddenly decent receiving corps thanks to Michael Crabtree, a stud tight end in Vernon Davis, and a young, energetic defense that has taken on Singletary’s ferocity and swagger.
But Smith and the rest of the offense will only go as far as the offensive line takes them and as of this moment, things don’t look good for the Niners’ front five.
Singletary has already named rookies Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati the starters at right tackle and left guard, respectively. Both first-rounders certainly have the talent to succeed, but as with any young player in the NFL, Davis and Iupati will likely struggle in their first years. It’s only inevitable.
The 49ers have announced that interim general manager Trent Baalke, who oversaw the team’s draft last month, has been named vice president of player personnel. Joel Patten, who was with the Rams and worked with Baalke in the Redskins’ organization, is now the new director of college scouting.
Team president and CEO Jed York has made it clear that Baalke won’t have as much control over budget matters as former GM Scot McCloughan did, but that might be a good thing in the end.
On paper, this is a structure that should work. Patten will have the opportunity to concentrate on the scouting, while Baalke can focus on draft day decisions and Singletary can control the roster. With notable exceptions like the Cowboys, Redskins and Bengals, most teams’ front offices are set up this way and it’s a system that seems to have success.
That said, Baalke and Singletary have to constantly be on the same page in terms of personnel decisions or else the entire structure will fall apart. Everyone saw what happened in Oakland when Lane Kiffin couldn’t get along with Al Davis (or more specially, the decisions Al made on draft day) and while the 49ers aren’t the circus that the Raiders are, they could be if the marriage between Baalke and Singletary doesn’t pan out. Hopefully San Fran never has to worry about that though.
The Titans were in need of a big back to replace LenDale White, whom the team traded to Seattle during the third day of the draft on Saturday. Blount will pair with Chris Johnson to form a solid 1-2 punch in Tennessee’s backfield, although 2009 draft pick Javon Ringer might be in the mix for carries, too.
Blount is coming off a tumultuous final year at Oregon. What I mean by “tumultuous” is that he punched a Boise State player following a loss on the opening night of the season and also tried to go after fans that were heckling him as he walked out of the stadium. He eventually had to be escorted off the field by coaches and security, then was suspended for the better part of the season.
Blount was eventually reinstated late in the year after meeting a number of conditions set by Ducks head coach Chip Kelly. He finished the year with just 82 yards on 22 carries, which is largely why he went undrafted despite his immense talent. (Well that, and the fact that he has proven to be a nut case.)
Either Tennessee or San Francisco would have been good fits for the troubled running back, considering Fisher and Singletary are hard-nosed, no nonsense coaches. But seeing as how Blount spurned Singletary by signing with the Titans, chances are he won’t be welcomed back to San Francisco anytime soon.
The book is already out on Taylor Mays and it reads: Can’t cover, terrible ball skills, isn’t a reliable tackler.
But if there’s one coach that can turn a great athlete into a football player (there’s a fundamental difference between the too), it might be the 49ers’ Mike Singletary.
San Francisco took Mays with the 49th overall pick in the second round on Friday night, which is roughly 15 spots lower then where the safety was projected to go. Many pundits had Mays falling to the bottom of the first round or even the early second, but the 49th overall pick is pretty low for a player that runs a sub-4.4 40 and terrific size (6’3”, 230 pounds). (Not to mention one that was also considered a top 10 pick in 2009.)
All of Mays’ weaknesses aren’t correctable. He’ll probably never be good in man-to-man coverage because he has a tough time keeping up with backs and tight ends in open space. But his inconsistent tackling technique is something Singletary can correct and one day, maybe he’ll mold Mays into a solid strong safety that can mask his weaknesses with excellent athleticism and a good football IQ.
Two years ago, people were ready to give up on former top 5 pick Vernon Davis. Highly regarded as a phenomenal athlete, Davis struggled to learn the nuances of the game and what it meant to challenge himself when preparing for Sundays. Then Singletary came along and made Davis not only realize his potential, but fulfill it. Now he’s considered one of the better playmaking tight ends in the league and he only appears to be getting better.
It’s not surprising that Mays slipped as far as he did, but he could wind up being one of the steals of the draft. He’s going to a good situation in San Francisco and will be able to learn from a coach in Singletary that has a knack for molding young men.
