Author:
TANK
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Date Posted: 17:17:37 01/09/03 Thu
Anthony49, Win, greg, others:
1. I don't think the "Garcia Ball" vs. WCO discussion should be interpreted as criticism of Garcia. Despite references to cowdung and cockroaches, the overall consensus is that Garcia's performance in the final 20 minutes of Sunday's game was an incredible performance. It was the lackluster execution of the first 40 minutes that causes concern. The contrast illustrated he is average at one scheme, and great at the other. That is fact, not a criticism.
2. I don't think that the no-huddle and West Coast offeses are mutually exclusive, but I am smart enough to know they aren't the same. Yes, Garcia can do both, but not with the same efficiency. Garcia struggles in the pocket. With all due respect to Bill Walsh, Garcia is not the "best WCO quarterback" in the league. I think Rich Gannon owns that title, and Chad Pennington is staking his future claim to it as we speak.
I have more trust in Bill Walsh (or, as Win would say, "my favorite uncle's prize milking cow") than any other mind in the 49ers organization. I also know he likes to toot his own horn a bit. In suggesting that Garcia is the best in the NFL, Walsh is patting himself on the back because he "deposited" him on the 49ers. Lets not forget that Walsh also deposited Steve Stenstrom, Gio Carmazzi, and depending on whether or not you believe Dwight Clark and Carmen Policy, the biggest cowdung - Jim Drukenmiller. Just because the milking cow makes a deposit, it doesn't mean it is the best deposit or last desposit to lead this team. I the deposit struggles, ask for a new desposit. Never settle. Always improve. Whether it is Garcia or Mariucci, always look to improve your cowdung.
Undertand?
3. I disagree with those who say Jeff Garcia is very good in the WCO. I know, I know, Jeff is a three time Pro Bowler with back-to-back 30+ touchdown seasons prior to this year. But, he struggles in the pocket and his timing is getting worse, not better. Ask yourself, where are the famous WCO slants? Where are the WCO outs? Where is the WCO tight end deep over the middle? I am only speculating, but I would guess that most of Garcia's TD's come when he rolls out to the right, or after the play breaks down, and not on the classic WCO three step drop, or five step drop. The Ira Miller article about footwork explained to me why Garica can't master the WCO. Yes he makes good decisions, and has nice mobility, but that wasn't the point. As Walsh says in his book, and Steve Young said in the article, the feet are the timing and timing is the foundation of the WCO. Mobility and good decision making are advantageous skills, but they aren't fundamental to success in the WCO.
4. The problem with Garcia's unorthodox and declining WCO performances is that the offense happens to be the system the franchise is built on, practices and uses 95% of the time. I read forum fans and hear talk show know-it-alls suggesting that the no-huddle offense should be 50%-100% of the gameplan for the game agaisnt Tampa Bay. I think many of these fans of "Garcia Ball," as greg calls it, would prefer to see the no-huddle game in, game out, from week to week, from the first snap to the final whistle.
I understand this impulse, because it is obvious to me that Garcia is explosive in this wide open, CFL-like system. Without Garcia Ball the Niners lose to the Giants last Sunday. But, I have a concern that it cannot be successful as our base offense, and I know the malcontents will continue to complain about Mariucci and play calling as long as Garcia is forced to play within the confines of the WCO the majority of the time. Even I think I would grow frustrated with this schizophrenic game plan because I suspect it would result in disappointment as often as success.
Refer back to the beginning of the Green Bay game earlier this year. The 49ers came out in the first quarter with the no-huddle, and it failed. Refer back to the Philadelphia game on MNF...the team went to the no-huddle, and it failed.
We were fortunate last Sunday...but I think it was the exception when you play teams of this caliber. There is no way it should be the foundation of a new system.
5. When TIM talks about Mariucci, I can appreciate the fact that all he really wants is for the team to not get complacent and always try to get better...don't settle for an average coach. I agree. The place that TIM and I part ways is that I actually think Mooch is a top 5 NFL coach and a better HC option isn't available (but, a better OC is not out of the question). I would support a change from Mooch if they got great compensation and had a comparable coach in mind to replace him. I would be furious if he got away without gaining great draft picks. That would be like letting Terrell Owens get away as a free agent, with nothing in return. With first round draft picks and a comparable coach, the 49ers would actually come out ahead (see the 2002 Raiders).
I think this same desire to always get better should apply to every position. If Jake Plummer is an improvement over Garcia, try to sign him. If Webster or Plummer aren't the shutdown CB we need, then look for one. If Deese or Okeafor are being dominated...then upgrade. Do everything possible to advance this team to a Super Bowl title and second dynasty. Don't be content with any player just because Walsh signed/drafted him and the guy is getting by. I didn't like the offense I saw this season. I don't blame Garcia entirely...Icontinue to blame an OL that is often physically dominated, having a possession receiver instead of big play threat at #2WR and TE, and the sporadic running game. Mariucci gets blame for not utilizing Barlow better and some poor clock management. Knapp gets blamed for predictability. Garcia gets blamed for stretches of poor play...there was an undeniable dropoff in his play, and he would be the first to admit it. The chemistry of this offense is complex, and many reasons contribute to the decline in points scored (and games won). Win or lose this coming Sunday, there is need for honest appraisal and much work to be done.
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