Question for our 49er fan friends

[JSeahawks]

Hopefully this thread doesnt evolve into a flame war.

Just curious how you guys feel about LaMichael James after his rookie year and what you're expecting from him this year and in the future.

I thought he looked pretty good once he finally got his chance last season and is a pretty good weapon lined up back there against Kaepernick. He's my all time favorite college player so I was pretty pained when SF picked him up, but I still hope he has a really successful career.

 

[RolandDeschain]

Stop wishing the 49ers well. :devil:

 

[Subzero717]

You couldn't have gone to one of their boards and asked the question?

 

[Marvin49]

LOL...I guess peeps don't like the question but I'll answer it anyway.

I really like James. I loved the pick when it was made. He struggled badly early on because the O was so radically different than what he ran at Oregon and his school was on a system that forced him to miss most of the OTAs.

Once Kendall Hunter got hurt tho and LaMichael got his shot...he looked pretty damn good. He spent all year and all off-season working with the special teams coaches in order to perfect returning punts. He's also gained another 10 lbs so he's up to 205 now after being about 20 lbs lighter in college. His hope is to stay on the active roster as a return specialist and complete with Kendall Hunter as the #2 RB.

The 49ers are stacked at RB...so it'll be interesting to see what happens. Gore is still going strong, but at some point he'll slow down and give way to the youngsters Kendall Hunter, James, and Marcus Lattimore. Those last three guys will most likely form something of a 3 headed monster so they won't rely so heavily on one guy.

I really want to see what James can do from the LOS this year with the added weight and a full offseason to learn.

 

[hawker84]

I think you guys have a great stable of young backs , and the future looks bright for you in that regards Marvin.

However i want to get your opinion on what the impact of Crabs going down is going to be.. I heard Boldin was beasting in OTA's last week, looking like a true number #1 i think they said, but we both know he and Vern can't carry the load.. Who do you think will step up, i heard Jenkins is close to being back, will he be the new #2 or Lockette?

 

[Marvin49]

I think you guys have a great stable of young backs , and the future looks bright for you in that regards Marvin.

However i want to get your opinion on what the impact of Crabs going down is going to be.. I heard Boldin was beasting in OTA's last week, looking like a true number #1 i think they said, but we both know he and Vern can't carry the load.. Who do you think will step up, i heard Jenkins is close to being back, will he be the new #2 or Lockette?

Losing Crab is HUGE. No way to sugarcoat that one. He was on the doorstep of becoming a huge star. People look at his numbers (about 1100 yards) and think it's not that hard to replace, but what people don't realize is how much MORE productive he became when the switch was made at QB. In the 8 Games Alex was the QB, Crab had 440 yards and 3 TDs. He had 3 CAREER 100 yard games. In the 10 games Kaep played, Crab had 880 yards and 8 TDs. After having 3 100 yard games in his career, he had FIVE in 10 games with Kaep. His issue was never getting open. It was finding a QB who could get him the ball. I left out the Rams game where Alex was hurt BTW just because it was too hard to figure out who to atribute the yards to in that game.

I was really excited to see Boldin as a #2 WR and the THIRD option in the passing game. Now that he's gotta be the #1 WR...I just dunno. The 49er offense is very good at getting guys running wide open in space (killer play action and a run threat from the QB position will do that...as Seattle fans can attest from watching their own team), but I just dunno about Boldin as the #1. The Niners were turning a corner on offense in the playoffs. They were really starting to get things going in the passing game which was opening things up even more in the run game.

I'm incredibly happy now that they got Boldin now to hold down the fort till Crab comes back...but they still need to answer that #2 WR question.

I'm always dubious of reports from OTAs. They don't even have the pads on yet. Its nice to hear and Boldin actually gets better when the pads are on...but it's WAY early.

As for who is that #2 WR...we'll just have to see. There has been some pub here about Lockette whom you guys know well, but to me he's just a stretch the field guy. I don't see him as a regular contributor. Jenkins was never hurt, so not sure what you mean about getting him back. He's put on weight tho and has been working out with Kaep all offseason. He's always had great hands...his issues early on last year were a lack of stamina and he struggled with the offense. We'll see if this off-season has made a difference.

Outside of those 2 is Kyle WIlliams (he's the one who was hurt last year). I actually like him alot, but he's much more of a slot-type reciever than anything else. Patton is kinda an X-Factor. He looks to be a steal in round 4....but we'll just have to see. They also still have Manningham, but he'll probably miss the beginning of the season.

One thing to remember tho...the 49ers run with 2 TEs out of base packages...so who that #2 WR is might be less important than whether or not rookie TE Vance McDonald can become a reliable option in the pass game. He huge, athletic, and has LONG arms...so looks good...but you never really know till they put the pads on.

Before Crab got hurt I thought they might run more multiple WR sets since they lost Walker and might substitute Boldin in that "Joker" role since he's so physical...but now I just dunno.

 

[Marvin49]

BTW...just saw this....this is to Hawkers question and I guess the lesson to learn here is don't ever, under any circumstances throw the ball to Randy Moss. LOL.

http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2013/05/29 ... aepernick/



TO WR MICHAEL CRABTREE

Kaepernick: 61 of 94, 880 yards, 8 TD, 0 INT

QB rating: 123.5

Note: Crabtree was targeted with just 17 fewer passes than the combined total of Kaepernick's next three favorite targets: Davis, Moss and Walker.

*********************************************

TO TE VERNON DAVIS

Kaepernick: 24 of 39, 398 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

QB rating: 102.3

Note: In three playoff games, Kaepernick completed 12 of 19 passes for 254 yards with one touchdown and one interception when targeting Davis.

*********************************************

TO WR RANDY MOSS

Kaepernick: 20 of 39, 292 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT

QB rating: 52.5

Note: Kaepernick threw five interceptions in his 10 starts: three were intended for Moss, one was intended for Davis and the other was thrown in the direction of Williams.

*********************************************

TO TE DELANIE WALKER

Kaepernick: 19 of 33, 335 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

QB rating: 112.6

Note: These impressive numbers could have been even better: According to Pro Football Focus, five of those 14 incompletions were drops.

*********************************************

TO WR MARIO MANNINGHAM

Kaepernick: 13 of 17, 151 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

QB rating: 102.8

Note: Kaepernick completed 12 of his first 13 passes thrown to Manningham.

*********************************************

TO RB FRANK GORE

Kaepernick: 11 of 14, 143 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

QB rating: 133.0

Note: Kaepernick's longest completion of the postseason was a 45-yarder to Gore in the divisional playoffs against Green Bay.

*********************************************

TO FB BRUCE MILLER

Kaepernick: 9 of 10, 54 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

QB rating: 89.2

 

[NinerLifer]

Loved it when we picked James up! And as you said, he really showed that he is something special when he was given his opportunities. We are set at RB for years to come with him and Kendall Hunter (Who was tearing it up until he got hurt), especially with the addition of Lattimore.

 

[SE174]

It's kind of ridiculous how stacked both Seattle and SF are at RB.

 

[Bakergirl]

It's kind of ridiculous how stacked both Seattle and SF are at RB.

I love it. :mrgreen:

 

[hawker84]

sorry meant Williams... Sounds like there could be a few question marks.. I always liked lockette, would have like to see him get a few more opportunities, but i never panned out for whatever reason..

How do you think this effects your division asperations? can the rest of the offense carry the load if recieving core drops dramatically in production?

 

[Marvin49]

sorry meant Williams... Sounds like there could be a few question marks.. I always liked lockette, would have like to see him get a few more opportunities, but i never panned out for whatever reason..

How do you think this effects your division asperations? can the rest of the offense carry the load if recieving core drops dramatically in production?

Losing Crabtree hurts, but I think they'll be fine. They won't be as dynamic as they would be with Crab, but I think they'll be fine.

I know I'm on a Seahawks board so this will likely get me blasted, but I'm not all that worried about the Seahawks taking the division. I'm sure most of you would say the same in regards to SF. The 49ers in 2011 were a very different team than they were in 2012. I think the same will hold true in 2013.

In 2011 they won with incredible defense and the best special teams in the league. They had one of the biggest turnover differentials in a long time. The offense was "good enough".

In 2012 they won with really good defense, spotty special teams and an improved offense.

IN 2013 I think the formula will be a bit different. I think the D will be more like 2012 than 2011 (especially with Reid stepping in for Goldson), the special teams will make a rebound (that was why they signed Skuta, Dahl, and Dawson and drafted Moody) and even without Crab I think the offense will improve quite a bit with Kaep getting a full offseason and time to work with the other receivers on the team. Is this wishful thinking? Possibly...but I really do think they'll be better because Kaep will be better.

Based specifically on your question of "can the rest of the offense carry the load if recieving core drops dramatically in production"....Yes, but I don't think it will. I think Boldin will fill that Crab role and while not being the exact same player, will be a good enough replacement till Crab returns. That other WR was a revolving door all year anyway last year. Thats the main reason Boldin was coming here to begin with. Moss/Williiams/Manningham all played that spot at various times and none of them stood out particularly (in fact Kaep only had a 52 QB rating throwing to Moss). Part of that is performance and part of it is scheme...as I said before, they play ALOT of 2 TE offense and the real question is how well McDonald fills Walkers spot. If he is able to fill that role then the Niners will be just fine AND will have something they haven't had for awhile...a big redzone threat at TE. Vernon is great and Walker was good.....but neither of them is nearly as big as McDonald who is 6'5" 270 with the longest arms of any TE at the combine along with one of the best 40 times and vertical jumps. He is really key to what happens now post Crabtree injury. He's looked good in OTAs, but you never know till the pads are on. Vernon is pretty impressed with him though.

EDIT: BTW, don't be surprised if the Niners use LaMichael James in the slot some this year.

 

[hawker84]

So what you're saying is, you're predicting STL to win the division then, seeing how you don't think we will? :stirthepot:

 

[Marvin49]

So what you're saying is, you're predicting STL to win the division then, seeing how you don't think we will? :stirthepot:

HEHE.

Not exactly. SF, SEA, STL, ARI...in that order. Seattle gets Wild Card. SF-SEA NFC Championship Game as final game ever at Candlestick.

I figure it similar to last year. Niners get second seed because the 1st seed won't have to face the NFC West..IE will finish with better record. Seattle takes on that first seed but this time beats them.

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

So what you're saying is, you're predicting STL to win the division then, seeing how you don't think we will? :stirthepot:

HEHE.

Not exactly. SF, SEA, STL, ARI...in that order. Seattle gets Wild Card. SF-SEA NFC Championship Game as final game ever at Candlestick.

I figure it similar to last year. Niners get second seed because the 1st seed won't have to face the NFC West..IE will finish with better record. Seattle takes on that first seed but this time beats them.

I like that you have faith in us and all but you need to tweak that order a bit....Sea, SF, STL, Ari sounds more realistic. You do have the NFC championship game right but it will be at the Clink.

 

[Marvin49]

So what you're saying is, you're predicting STL to win the division then, seeing how you don't think we will? :stirthepot:

HEHE.

Not exactly. SF, SEA, STL, ARI...in that order. Seattle gets Wild Card. SF-SEA NFC Championship Game as final game ever at Candlestick.

I figure it similar to last year. Niners get second seed because the 1st seed won't have to face the NFC West..IE will finish with better record. Seattle takes on that first seed but this time beats them.

I like that you have faith in us and all but you need to tweak that order a bit....Sea, SF, STL, Ari sounds more realistic. You do have the NFC championship game right but it will be at the Clink.

hehe

Nope...I think I got that order right the first time. ;-)

 

[loafoftatupu]

Losing Crab is HUGE. No way to sugarcoat that one. He was on the doorstep of becoming a huge star. People look at his numbers (about 1100 yards) and think it's not that hard to replace, but what people don't realize is how much MORE productive he became when the switch was made

Taking Crabtree away from the Niners is like taking two WRs from the Seahawks. That guy was set to have a monster year this season and having Boldin out there fighting for balls was going to be a big plus, but now the Niners need some production out of unproven sources just to be as good as they were last year.

James can help with this some, but regardless of how good Boldin is, there is going to be drop-off at that position and behind that is the unknown. The good thing for the Niners is that they are exceptional at running the ball and Kaepernick was looking for Davis more near the end of last season.

The Niners might be just fine, but they are going to look different without Crabtree.

 

[Recon_Hawk]

BTW, don't be surprised if the Niners use LaMichael James in the slot some this year.

I could see that happening. Similar to how Buffalo used CJ Spiller at receiver to get him more touches throughout the game and in situations where he can use his speed against the Lbers and DBs in open space instead of having to fight through the Dline with each carry.

Oh gawd I hope LMJ doesn't play like Spiller (who had a great game against us last year). I'd hate to go up against a player like that twice a year.

 

[Marvin49]

Losing Crab is HUGE. No way to sugarcoat that one. He was on the doorstep of becoming a huge star. People look at his numbers (about 1100 yards) and think it's not that hard to replace, but what people don't realize is how much MORE productive he became when the switch was made

Taking Crabtree away from the Niners is like taking two WRs from the Seahawks. That guy was set to have a monster year this season and having Boldin out there fighting for balls was going to be a big plus, but now the Niners need some production out of unproven sources just to be as good as they were last year.

James can help with this some, but regardless of how good Boldin is, there is going to be drop-off at that position and behind that is the unknown. The good thing for the Niners is that they are exceptional at running the ball and Kaepernick was looking for Davis more near the end of last season.

The Niners might be just fine, but they are going to look different without Crabtree.

Can't really disagree all that much but would add tho that I think the passing game as a whole will be better than last year simply because Kaep will have more experience.

It took RW awhile to get rolling last year. In the tail end of the season tho he was lights out.

Kaep started with a bang but had some struggles before he started to turn it on late. In the playoffs he was outstanding.

I'm not trying to make the RW/Kaep comparison again...just talking about how WIlson got much better DURING the season and kaep didn't get as many games to improve. Kaep hasn't peaked yet...he was just hitting that "starting to get it" stage in the playoffs. He'll likely be a different guy next year...as will RW. No more scrambling into the endzone or pitching the game away (St. Louis) or being unable to get the snap off in time (New Orleans, St. Louis, Seattle, New England, Atlanta, and the SB).

When Sterling Sharpe got hurt everyone predicted Favre would have major problems. What happened was exactly the opposite. It forced him to find more targets. I think the same will happen for Kaep. Happening this early is a godsend because it gives him all offseason to get comfortable with the new receivers. BTW...WR #2 was a problem issue all year. I'm more worried about TE #2.

 

[Marvin49]

BTW, don't be surprised if the Niners use LaMichael James in the slot some this year.

I could see that happening. Similar to how Buffalo used CJ Spiller at receiver to get him more touches throughout the game and in situations where he can use his speed against the Lbers and DBs in open space instead of having to fight through the Dline with each carry.

Oh gawd I hope LMJ doesn't play like Spiller (who had a great game against us last year). I'd hate to go up against a player like that twice a year.

I really like LMJ, but he isn't like Spiller. LaMichael has incredible quickness and lateral movement (and a great spin move), but he doesn't have the blazing straight line speed Spiller does.