| Subject: Uncle Kevin & Bryan |
Author:
TANK
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Date Posted: 22:57:42 01/09/03 Thu
I am sure Walsh has his reasons for Stenstrom. But, that just illustrates my point...even with the knowledge of the WCO, Stenstrom didn't have it. It is not enough to say the quarterback is familiar with Walsh's offense and acquired by Walsh. Not everyone Walsh tabs is neccessarily the QBOTF.
You credit Cerrato and Clark for selecting Drukenmiller, but I quotes from the organization the very next day said Walsh liked him. I recall hanging onto a SF Chronicle article from the weekend of that draft just because it had Walsh's comments on the QB class. I recall thinking it was odd for him to make these evaluations public if he worked for the 49ers. My mistake...he was not exclusive to the 49ers. Sure, he compared Jake Plummer to Joe Montana (as he had Rick Mirer), but Walsh gave his seal of approval on Drukenmiller, too.
Again, depending on who you believe, Walsh had to be convinced to draft Montana. He was more inclined to go with Steve Dils...his quarterback at Stanford. Sound familiar?
FYI: An insider told me that Carmazzi was Mornhiweg and Knapp's selection. Knapp was a coach at CSU, Sacramento when Carmazzi was playing at nearby Jesuit High. Walsh really preffered Chad Pennington.
I know that Walsh is brilliant. I trust his opinion far more than anyone in the organization...particualrly when it comes to coaches, quarterbacks, receivers/tight ends, and linebackers. I am not trying to show that he is fallible ... I am trying to show that he is forced to make decisions based on the options at hand (limited cap space, poor draft class, more pressing needs on defense, etc.), even if they are capable of only 80% of what is needed and not 100% what he wants.
I think Walsh was probably correct when he projected Garcia as a backup. That is not to say that backups can't do incredible things, like Garcia last Sunday. Koy Detmer, AJ Feeley, Marc Bulger, Mark Maddox and Kelly Holcomb are an example of backups who did great things throughout the season. These are late draft picks and UDFA who toil like Garcia did in the CFL, and not much is expected out of them. And, for a shining moment, maybe an entire season, they dazzle fans. But, their extremely high orbit begins to level off and they return to their originally projected trajectory unless they are held aloft by a superior supporting cast (which could happen for Bulger in St. Louis).
Tim Rattay is another one of these guys.
I am not talking about "backups" like Chad Pennington, who was behind Testeverde, or Steve Young, who was second string to Joe Montana. These guys were projected starters biding their time. Teams invested early draft picks in these guys.
I am talking about the marginal quarterback who is looking for an opportunity. I believe Bill Walsh can tell the difference. I believe his initial impression about Garcia was correct. I beginning to think that Garcia's upside is limited in the WCO...that after an initial stratospheric streak (4,200+ yards, 104 rating)...Garcia is returning to his original WCO projection because of his footwork (not his head or arm).
Yes, Bryan, a dominating offensive line that is strong enough to control the line of scrimage and establish passing lanes would help Garcia return to a higher WCO orbit. So would an impact #2WR. But I cannot look past the footwork and timing issue that Walsh stresses and Young remarked on in the Ira Miller column. Remember, rolling out and scrambling puts an enormous strain on the receivers and the entire offense breaks down ... it is survival mode. Oddly, this is where Garcia is most effective. It is almost like he creates the chaos to abandon the WCO which constrains him.
Walsh needs to secure the 100% WCO QB, or hire a offensive coordinator from the CFL who can harness Garcia's unique abilities. Unless that happens, we wil continue to be frustrated with this offense...it will sputter and bog down with three and outs. I don't care if Mike Shanahan or Bill Walsh himself is calling the plays.
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