Comments on: NFC West Power Rankings … a new look (Part 1)

By: Will

Will — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:00:39 +0000

3k, thanks for the good words. Hopefully I’ll continue to earn your readership. Keep up the good work on TST. I’ll be dropping in from time to time, for sure. Like Van says, us lonely Rams fans have to stick together.

By: Will

Will — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:44:45 +0000

Cal, I think we’ll have to let the season play out before either of us gets the “genius” tag. But I’d disagree pretty strongly with your characterization of the Niners’ offensive line. Check out these stats from Football Outsiders:
http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol

The offensive line grades out pretty well in terms of adjusted line yards — a rough measure of the “push” that they generate off the snap — but is last in the league in “Power” situations, and next-to-last in pass protection. And Frank Gore isn’t looking so hot out in space these days, as measured by these same statistics. (You might also note that the Niners excelled in giving up sacks in 2007, too.)

As far as the “addition by subtraction” argument that losing Mike Martz will make your offense better, you might want to take a look at what happened to the St Louis and Detroit offenses in the years after he left. (Hint: it’s not pretty.) He may not protect the quarterback by design, but his offenses do generate tons of yardage, and raised the 49ers offense from BY FAR the worst in the league in 2007 to something approaching acceptable mediocrity.

I respect your opinion, being closer to the 49ers than I am, but it’s hardly laughable to take a critical eye at that team by the bay. Not a playoff team. Period.

By: 3k

3k — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:18:20 +0000

Big ups, taiko, for getting this off the ground. It’ll be a consistent read for me, so I wish you the maximum motivation in keeping it going. I hope you don’t leave the crew over at TST. You’re a great voice in a small crowd, so we definitely need you.
As for your rankings, my only significant disagreement is with the Warner ranking. While Leinart is yet to prove he can perform, the depth chart around him is stacked. Arizona has plenty of talent on offense (specifically at WR) to mask many of the deficiencies I would assume Leinart would bring as a starting QB, and I think that mask would cover more than the 5 games you suggest lacking Warner would.
Great ish, cuz! Keep it up!

By: Cal

Cal — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:24:47 +0000

Your knowledge of teams other than the Rams is laughable.

Even your characterization of Linehan as a “locker room failure” is stupid. You should know that some people, like Norv Turner, are meant to be great coordinators and subpar head coaches. Linehan has demonstrated his ability to be a quality OC and wouldn’t have needed to be a locker room presence on a Mike Singletary team anyhow.

As for the 49ers, I would posit that this year’s team is in fact talented and that the 49ers are not rebuilding; they’re coming together.

Their offensive line, anchored by one of the best centers in the league, has had only one deficiency– the right tackle spot where Jonas Jennings couldn’t stay healthy.

That spot has not yet been fully addressed by the signing of former pro-bowler Marvel Smith, who has a history of injury of his own. Look for the 49ers to address this next year if Smith’s back doesn’t hold up.

No, the biggest problem with the 49ers’ offensive line last year was Mike Martz’ propensity for seven step drops. As a Rams fan, you should know this by now.

As for pegging Crabtree as a superdiva, we’d like some evidence beyond what the Browns put out there.

Also, see Sando’s comment that your “characterization of the 49ers’ front office diverges from what I’ve seen.”

Leaving the Seahawks, who went from the top of the NFC West to the near bottom in one season largely due to Hasslebeck’s injury, off the list is asinine as well.