Author:
TANK
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Date Posted: 17:39:21 12/23/02 Mon
TIM: You argue, "The only reason I brought it up (Winborn and Bronson's Pro Bowl talent) in the first place is to challenge your assertion that our team does not have enough talented players and therefore our great head coach doesn't have the talent to work with."
Can you please explain to me how Mariucci could "work with" Winborn and Bronson the past 12 weeks? Let's keep the discussion and analysis to what Mariucci had to work with. He didn't have Winborn and Bronson. How can I make this more clear to you?
As for the 49ers who were named to the Pro Bowl, I would argue that Bryant Young and Jeff Garcia didn't deserve it. You and I can argue that all day, I could cite all the more deserving players who were over looked, and point to all the critics who say the voting process is flawed by popularity/reputation, not actual merit; and you would ultimately win the argument because, fact is, these six Niners have been invited.
Likewise, you can argue all you want about Deese, Plummer, Carter, Beasley, et al., but I win because the facts support me: they didn't get invited.
But, lets focus on the key weaknesses. These are the same weaknesses that we all were aware of all last year and throughout the offseason: (1) nickel and dime pass defense screamed for an upgrade at nickel back; (2) insufficient pass rush screamed for another pass rusher other than Carter; (3) double and triple team on Owens cried for a better #2 option; AND, (4) pressure on Garcia and the low rushing average in crucial games against better teams exposed our undersized o-line that has been ignored for years. If I asked TIM what his 2002 offseason concerns were, I suspect he would agree. If they were concerns, it is likely that deficient talent was the cause. Go back ten months, check the archives, and TIM's concerns will be exposed.
You and your band of Merry Mooch Bashers are critical of play selection, play calling, lack of killer instinct, etc., and you point to Shanahan, Gruden, Holmgren and other for their wide open offenses, yet you fail to acknowledge the disperity and balance in their talent relative to Mariucci's.
Yes, the Raiders are an exciting offense, but Callahan and Trestman enjoy lining up Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, which makes defenses honor both. Shanahan enjoys lining up Rod Smith and McCaffrey, with a dose of Shannon Sharpe for good measure. Our benchmark is Walsh, who had Rice and John Taylor with Brent Jones. Yet, you want to hold Mariucci and Knapp under a microscope but ignore that Streets is a work in progress emerging before our eyes (and he ain't no John Taylor), and Eric Johnson has missed half the season with a bad back. The #2WR and TE are critical elements of the WCO, so how can you even evaluate the coaching and execution of this offense when these critical pieces are missing?
(That question alone is the one I wish TIM would address. When McCaffrey went down last year, nobody looked at the Broncos' offense and said Shanahan forgot how to coach. They all said he lacked the talent...just ONE position, the critical #2WR, that is all it took. Shanahan finished 8-8 despite being loaded with a good offensive line, running backs out the yazoo, Griese and Ferotte, Rod Smith, Eddie Kennison, etc., and nobody questioned his coaching! You know, they say Broncos fans know more about football than Niners fans.)
Fans point to all of Streets receptions, but that is a credit to Garcia, Mariucci and Knapp, not a testament to how good Streets is. He clearly isn't the impact player that John Taylor was. Anybody who has ever played fantasy football can attest that lots of receivers come and go with pumped up numbers. Even JJ Stokes had over 70 receptions one year, and we know what a fraud he is.
Then there is the Garcia factor. Real or perceived, he admits he doesn't feel safe behind the 49ers line. In his words, ""I play the game with a survival-type mode." That isn't the fault of coaching...it is a talent issue.
Finally, on defense, you can have all the studs you want, but if their is a weakness, Bill Walsh says it can be exploited and beaten. On this Niners team, the pass defense is atrocious because they can't manufacture a pass rush or defend the third receiver. Any coach will tell you, you are only as strong as your weakest point, and that point is Chike Okeafor/John Engelberger and Mike Rumph. Do I need to explain this in further detail? Surely you can appreciate the short comings of these three players...they didn't make your expanded Pro Bowl roster.
Ahmed Plummer, Tony Parrish, Julian Peterson and Andre Carter can play there butts off, but if Favre/McNabb/Johnson are given the time, and Rumph/Williams/Holman gives up the first down or touchdown reception, then you have to conclude that what the coaches have to work with just isn't enough.
Just look at the teams with the best records. It is so obvious. They have two receivers AND a solid running game. They have a quarterback that is confident behind his line. They have a pass rush and quality at least three deep at cornerback.
PS - What ever talent Jimmy Williams brought to special teams, Cortez, Baker and Chandler more than negated.
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