49ers fire Jimmy Raye – could Mike Singletary next?
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.
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Posted in: NFL
Tags: Anthony Stalter, Fire Mike Singletary, Jimmy Raye, Jimmy Raye fired, Mike Singletary, San Francisco 49ers
No way does Singletary last at this pace. I think you hit it dead on that motivation from him is not wanted. The recent interview with him was painful, the guy appears to be nasty and players will not respond to this.
The die is cast for the 49ers. Raye’s dismissal was clearly a business decision by the York Corporation. Under Singletary, there was waning team support going into the final push for the 49ers new stadium. It was estimated in 2006 the York’s would have to finance approximately 600 million dollars of the stadium project. To help with the financing, the York’s need the leverage of a good or improving team to attract fresh season ticket holders and top-dollar corporate sponsors. At best the present 49er team was a lackluster revenue stream.
In terms of the current team, this translates into an evolution phase making Singletary a lame duck coach- like have stated. I am sure Jed told Singletary not to touch anything, to soldier on, keep quiet and put on a first-rate team face. I really don’t care much for Jed York’s organizational management style (apparently he has none) because he makes far too many incorrect decisions both business (threatening to move the 49ers if he did not get his new stadium) and personnel wise (hiring Singletary). However, the upcoming team changes will have the York stamp of approval. The 49ers could improve play overall where they might finish with a heroic 8 and 8 season. This is truly dismal…
And the Niner’s go 13 & 0! Watch it happen! Yes folks you saw it here first. 13-0 wow would that be cool or what??
Great comments Anthony. Singletary was given (highly recommended by Mike Nolan BTW) the job only by name and X- NFL player reputation. He came at the right time when the team needed morale and continuity. Singletary provided that. Now, Singletary is being exposed for who he is- a linebackers coach at best- not a head coach. You recall, Sing applied for many HC positions in the past and never was considered to even be close to any of the potential candidates. Not even close. Now that we have some pieces in place and a team that could make some noise, Sing is way in over his head. When it is all said and done, and all the dust clears, Jimmy Raye will only be one of many casualties- guaranteed. That’s not being negative, that’s reality.
And, the next 49er head-coach in 2011 is — Jim Harbaugh. At this rate 49ers have pick in the top 5. Some pretty good QBs coming out.
Johnson better open up the offense and start using his tools or it’s over! Vernon is underutilized to begin, and Singeltary doesn’t have an offensive bone in his body! Demote him to Defensive Coordinator, at best, and bring in Gruden!
Smith-you need to start taking some personal responsibility out there! Stop looking to others to get it done! Do what you have to do to make it happen and start competing! I want to see some fire, as opposed to the confused look I seem to see week after week! Let’s go guy!!!
This team is in total chaos , major meltdown . Sing I like as a player but as a coach , forget about it . They have to weather the rest of the season with Sing. I don’t expect to much from the niners as I had when the season started . Time for a new HC .
I think the problem is not coach Mike Singletary, it is the quarterback if you ask me, It Alex Smith that the problem, he chocks under pressure, he takes to much time to start a play. He is what is hurting coach Mike Singletary and the team. I think they should replace Alex with the 3rd string quarterback Davis.
Gomez,
Saying that we need to sit Smith and replace him with ND is like saying we need to replace Sing with Maunusky. It would not make any difference at this point. Nate Davis would not improve that position. No team took Davis when he was cut. He is not ready to be a starting QB in the NFL yet but give it time- he has the POTENTIAL some day. The move they HAD to make was to get rid of Raye. I’m not ignorant to the fact that Smith is no Manning or Brady but he is also no Jimmy Clausan or Ryan Fitzpatrick. You will see that promoting Johnson to OC was a long overdue decision, as soon as this Sunday. You will see the creativity that the team has been wanting and you will see a 49ers win this weekend. It’s too easy to say that all the 49ers need is Nate Davis. Fans that say things like this cheer for the other team across the bridge.
Too much rhetoric to say that its early and we still have a chance. 2 and 1 is the lead . a couple games and were in there. no need to fire the man. hes doing fine. i think he should consider a qb chnage. smith cant point them in the right direction. hes good but not this year. before its too late make a move. how about troy smith?
When is enough enough! I am so sick and tired of watching Alex Smith play, he is a bust! If the 49ers want to win, they better replace Smith.
49ers do a fine job of representing Americas most Liberal city..Nancy Pelosi and 49ers = LOOSERS.
Whoever said the problem is Alex Smith is dead on. I also agree that Nate Davis should be our quarterback. Also need to use your weapons. We are not going to win with 14pts. Never. Taking a qtr to go down the field only to see Alex throw a pick. Come on. Crabtree has good hands. So does Vernon. Throw them the ball!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, this game truly defined us this season. There is no question what our identity is this year: mistakes, mental breakdowns and turnovers. Yes, Alex made some huge mistakes once again in the red zone and they cost us at least 6 points. But I have to say that this game once again came down to our offensive philosophy. As long as Sing is the coach, you will never ever see us score a lot of points. We will never run up the score. Why? Because our defense is not built on stopping the pass, it’s built on stopping the run. This is the key to beating the 49ers. I would argue that our secondary is one of the worst in the league. Mays is a good fix but the rest of our secondary stinks. All 4 losses were on a lack of a good secondary. Goldson is slow and can’t cover. Clements jumps routes too often. Brown is garbage. Spencer creates too much space because of his lack of speed. Once again, this game was not all on Smith. Once again, this is on Singletary. Coach sing is writing his own story and he is closer to loosing his job which is good with me. He is a garbage of a coach! Bring Gruden here!
Get rid of Smith. I’ve been saying it for years. Smith is the main problem. The defense is doing a great job this year.
WE NEED TO LOOSE ALEX SMITH,LOOSE SINGLETARY,RE ORGANIZE..UNFORTUNATELY YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE YORK FAMILY ANOTHER SEASON IS SLIPPING AWAY….SO SAD.THIS USE TO BE A GREAT TEAM..LOVE MY NINERS..RD