Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan Friday

49ers 2009 Draft: Thanks For Not Getting Mark Sanchez!

Ryan Friday — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:53:52 -0400

It's over. Hello, Michael Crabtree.

I gave this year's draft an B/B+ only because of the absence any offensive linemen in this draft. I don't like it so much that the team drafted a running back in the third round, but I suppose that seemed to be the best thing on the board at the time.

If the Niners had a second round pick, I'm sure they would have drafted a good available OT/G.

But hey, there was not one mock draft out there that predicted the 49ers taking Michael Crabtree at No. 10.

What were the Raiders thinking? More so, how in bloody hell did Mark Sanchez get drafted higher than Crabtree? Oh well, good for us. Why? Read the following:

There are more successful juniors out of college that are non-quarterbacks than there are quarterbacks. I can name two right now (both from Cal, whoo-hoo!) Marshawn Lynch and Desean Jackson. (Though I know Desean could be a sophomore slump depending on that QB situation.)

Of course, I do not deny there are QB's who were drafted as juniors who indeed are doing well as QBs in the NFL:

Aaron Rodgers, yeah one good season, but it was a pretty consistent season with a not so superb supporting cast, and we cannot forget Big Ben Roethlisberger. But please pay attention that these players have at least two great seasons of college play.

So yes, I am so glad we did not get the opportunity to draft Mark Sanchez. For you people that wanted this, no.

First of all, he is no where near the likes of Matt Leinart (and look at him now, he was a much better player than Sanchez), Carson Palmer, or even, John David Booty.

You cannot draft a guy who has started for only one full season. You always want to draft a guy who has been consistently good in more than just one season because we unfortunately have one year wonders in football.

Just look at four year starters Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan. They were senior draftees. Need more?

C'mon, even Alex Smith had more college starts and look at him, and again, he was also a junior when drafted.

Though I actually like Alex Smith, and I believe he has yet to have a real second (or third) chance to prove himself.

As I said before, even though there are a few QBs who have had success with nothing but two years of college experience, that doesn't compare to the number of junior flops who we all thought were going to be good players.

Help me out with this one, are there any good NFL players with fewer than two seasons of college play?

No, you cannot say Matt Cassel (ironically also from USC) for two reasons: One, I already said it and two, because he got to learn from Belichick for several seasons.

From whom would Mark Sanchez get the opportunity to learn from and be great?

Usually top 10 draftees start as soon as the middle of their rookie season, but no his situation would have been bad for himself, the 49ers, and ultimately the fans.

I mean who is he going to be learning from now? Didn't Favre retire? I sure hope so. (Refer to a previous article of mine, it is nasty.)

So anyway, welcome Michael Crabtree, and yes, I know he is a junior. However, I'm okay with this because look who he gets to play with: future Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce.

And by the way, I think getting Isaac Bruce was one of the best moves this team made in the past several seasons.

And maybe Crabtree won't have a star quarterback, I think it's worse to have a QB flop than anything else. In this case, Crabtree doesn't have to—though he probably will—automatically be the starter. Even if he is, there are still other weapons on the field so there wouldn't be as much pressure put on him.

This is a fantastic and lucky thing to happen to the 49ers. I hear that this can potentially be the next best WR to Terrel Owens. Maybe not big enough but it's nice to have a guy who brings some promise.

As to why that other guy got drafted over Maclin and Crabtree, everyone was puzzled.

But of course, we have the worse case scenario: Injuries, injuries, and injuries. I sure hope to heck that Crabtree doesn't become a guy with plaguing injuries who we'll never get to see him to his full potential.

But let's think positive. Let's think about the offensive lineup, which will be of the following and, no doubt in my mind, would be awesome:

WR Isaac Bruce

WR Josh Morgan

LT Joe Staley

LG David Baas

C Eric Heitmann

RG Tony Wragge

RT Marvel Smith

TE Vernon Davis

QB Alex Smith

HB Frank Gore

FB Moran Norris / Zak Keasey

WR Micheal Crabtree

Isn't it beautiful?

I honestly think with better coaching this offensive line will be fine. Perhaps there is someone we can pick up prior to summer camp, but all in all, it isn't as bad as it seems.

Oh Vernon, where is your breakout season? He has been mediocre or less. But the good thing is teams are still scared of him, and when he does get the ball, it is a thrill.

Frank Gooore, you'll be running more, but you've got fine back-ups.

Well you might put Arnaz Battle instead of Josh Morgan, but Morgan made some good plays last season.

And, of course, there's Michael Crabtree all alone.

At least teams may actually have to worry about the receivers and stop getting to keep eight in the box every play.

I'm truly thinking more optimistically than I usually do, but I feel great. I feel good. The good 'ol GM didn't piss me off this season. So far.

So again congrats, Crabtree, and congrats to the 49ers. Please make this year count for us.

Sincerely,

Fans that are glad you didn't get Mark Sanchez

Brett Favre: Did the NFL Ask Him to Play Again?

Ryan Friday — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:11:15 -0400

It's everywhere, everywhere you look. Every sports newspaper, magazine, channel, radio station, heck, even Madden '09 is saying it—just look at who's on the damn cover: Brett Favre wants back in.

And I thought to myself, oh man Brett Favre, not you again. You can't possibly want to come back...it's stupid (and you'll soon read why). I, for one, am annoyed that this is all I'm hearing about when it comes to NFL news.

Don't they have anything else?

So...this is my only logical conclusion as to why Brett Favre is considering returning: because the NFL told him to.

I can only imagine that after all these damn delinquent acts of misdemeanor by NFL players—DUI's, drugs, dog fighting, etc.—the NFL needed something positive and entertaining to deliver.

I mean it is the offseason, so it's not like they can talk about another New England Patriot domination of some team, or how Terrell Owens needs to stop crying.

Nothing has been so entertaining to hear about in the world of the NFL lately, so hey, the commissioner calls up Brett Favre and goes,

“Our ratings are going down, Brett Favre, we need your help."

Why? Why isn't it because he "still has it in him?" Plain and simple: because he TOLD US SO. A few months back he said, “Yeah I'm done guys, I'm retiring. Finally, I know, but yeah I'm done."

He said it, and with promise that he won't reconsider. Well, at least that's what I thought, and what every other NFL fan who is not a Packers fan thought.

But wait a minute, a lot of you may be saying, (especially unrealistic Packer fans), "He had such a successful season! He got the Packers to the NFC Conference Championship game! Favre Forever!"

My response is this: Were you saying this two seasons ago? I recall several NFL fans, and from some of your favorite sports analysts from your favorite sports cable broadcast channels, had said that Favre needs to retire, but that he won't of course.

I even heard, “Yes, he's washed up he's done."

So who's to say he may go back to those days where we saw his skills aging and instincts slow down...again? I mean these Packer fans doing their rallying and whatnot to get Favre back with the Packers have chosen to forget some of his inconsistent play before last season.

Well, I guess that doesn't matter. What matters more importantly is that he retired already and to me, it's just idiotic to just change your mind a few months later, where the team and coaches have already planned and accustomed themselves to Aaron Rodgers being their quarterback.

I know there may be a few months left before the season starts, but considering Aaron Rodgers' lack of experience, I think he needs all the time he can get to prepare himself as the starter.

Now Favre wants to go ahead and come in there and ruin everything.

But I want to give Favre the benefit of the doubt that he really isn't that idiotic to screw the Packers, at least by his own will. He definitely is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and I'm not saying he doesn't still have it in him.

I admit he probably still can play and did have an awesome "comeback" season last year, which no one saw coming.

Every expert analyst did not put the Packers to win the NFC North last year, I guarantee it. Even the Lions were a favorite over the Packers to win it. So as a previously successful quarterback, I suppose he should be given the chance.

But no, he said he was done so he should be done.

And he's smart enough to know that coming back, after all the dramatic speeches, uproar, and attention we gave him when he retired that indeed this was all wasted time spent, especially for the Packer fans, who ironically still want him to return after that supposed wasted time spent.

I, for one, would be pissed. “You put us all through the crap of you retiring, and now you just wanna come back? I sent you a card man! and flowers! damn it."

So I saw it as an illogical explanation that Favre chose to come back and stir things up again. So, to get people interested in NFL news in the offseason, the NFL TOLD HIM TO COME BACK.

One side note, and perhaps the biggest reason why I wrote this article:

As a 49er fan, it's my job to talk bad about Packers’ fans. And I want to say, aren't you tired that all you hear about Packer football is Brett Favre this, Brett Favre that? More so, aren't you tired of Brett Favre?

It's time for you all to move on! We're over Joe Montana, we're over Steve Young. We've moved on. It's time for you to join the teams that are struggling to find their new QB of the future!

It's inevitable. I'm sure you were all jump for joy when you heard the news that you may not have to sit through Aaron Rodgers struggling and throwing interceptions and whatnot. Don't worry, you'll find it.

I mean look at Dallas—ever since Troy Aikman, they hadn't found anyone, but then Tony Romo came along. After Joe Montana, we were worried but then we found Steve Young, then Jeff Garcia.

And Denver seems to be doing pretty decent with Jay Cutler, though it took them a while after John Elway left. Don't worry. I like Aaron Rodgers by the way. Everything is going to be A-OK.

If you hadn't notice, this is utter mocking of you Packers Fans. C'mon give me your best shot.

Alex Smith vs. Shaun Hill

Ryan Friday — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:01:40 -0400

When I received an email from Zander asking me to do an article about the quarterback controversy going on with the 49ers, I thought, "what quarterback controversy?"

I'm serious, what controversy?

There's only a controversy when a former starter is threatened by a backup who has proven himself to play just as well or even better. We usually see this when the starter is injured and hasn't been playing that well, and the second-string QB finally gets his chance to shine. So let's look at some possible QB controversies around the league.

Tampa Bay

They've got more quarterbacks than most high-school quarterback camps. Though Jeff Gracia seems pretty consistent, meaning he's not losing games with bad quarterbacking, but neither is he throwing three-TD, 250+ yards per game. Hard to do that when you don't have T.O anymore.

And who else is there? Luke McCown, Brad Gradkowski, and Chris Simms. All quarterbacks who have started at least one game, and all played not excellently, but well enough to to be able to compete for the job.

But who will probably start? Yes, the guy that has the most experience and has won the most games, and (sort of) took Tampa Bay to the playoffs, Jeff Garcia. So no, there is no controversy here. What's the most any of the other quarterbacks can do during training camp? Preseason? Teams like to win, and not gamble by testing the other quarterbacks.

Arizona

Similar to the 49ers, only we're not talking about a first overall pick but a 10th overall pick. We've seen Matt Leinart play somewhat inconsistently, and the guy that threatens his job isn't a Shaun Hill, who has won two games, but a guy who is a Super Bowl champion and two-time MVP. I'd say that's a controversy.

Green Bay

Again, maybe. We have Aaron Rodgers, some guy named Craig Nall, and newly drafted Brian Brohm. Aaron Rodgers has played only one game for the Packers, and in that one game, he did exceptional.

However that's exactly the point—one game. He still needs to do a whole lot more to prove himself and take the Lambeau spotlight.

So there's Brian Brohm—why this draft pick many asked? To remind Rodgers that his job isn't secure, and that he must try extra hard? Or does Green Bay expect Rodgers to fail, and then they will groom Brohm, and should he have an excellent traning camp and pre-season, he'll take be the one taking the snaps?

Yes, it's a possibility. With the lack of experience (other than watching Favre play) and the potential greatness Brohm has shown (even with the unfortunate senior season he had), either one can take the job. So yes, this is a quarterback controversy.

Though you might say this is almost what the situation is with the 49ers. However, I'm biased, and you also know I'm an Alex Smith fan. Even though he's played a lot more games then Aaron Rodgers, and more importantly, he's demonstrated to us how much worse he can play than Aaron Rodgers has been able to, but he's still got it.

He's got it, and I think the 49ers have 55 million reasons why they should start him. Shaun Hill won two games. And he won them because, with him, the offense was actually getting positive yards. However, we've got to take in account to Alex Smith's injury, and the fact that the offensive coordinator was no good. I know we've said these things so many times before, but that's the deal.

If it were different, where Alex Smith still did bad under the same offensive coordinator for four straight seasons, and no shoulder injuries, and Shaun Hill was an experienced QB who not only won two games but played exceptionally well, (everyone believes he in fact did play exceptionally well, but honestly anything would be exceptionally better than what Trent Dilfer and Jim Hostler were doing) then there indeed would be a controversy.

I'm not saying Alex Smith doesn't need to work hard for the job in training camp. If Alex Smith gives us a great look this summer and through preseason, he WILL be the starter because San Francisco has to. For me, winning is important. However, what a team invests in is equally important. Our lovely owner John York has invested in Mike Nolan, and did not fire him after this season because ge knows Mike Nolan isn't the reason to base the bad season on. Though we all know that this is probably Nolan's last chance.

Faithful is believing, we all saw in the 49er season-ticket commercials. Our owner still has some faith in Mike Nolan, and Mike Nolan still has faith in Alex Smith. Shaun Hill could have a great summer training camp too, but will not start if Smith does so as well. And my faith says Smith will do well this summer and that he will start. So no, there is no controversy here.

Oh, you're probably saying, "what about J.T Sullivan?"

So I'm saying, " What about him?"

Alex Smith Saves the San Francisco 49ers

Ryan Friday — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:24:30 -0400

By now, you're probably laughing. I mean, if I weren't an Alex Smith fan (a.k.a. a normal football fan) I'd be laughing pretty damn hard, but unfortunately, as you can see from my previous two articles, I'm quite the fan.

Here's why...

When Alex Smith played great, he played great. I know there are but a few instances where we saw great playing from Smith, but try to hear me out. Let's look at this season...this dreadful season.

You probably know which game I'm going to refer to: Week 1, 49ers and Cardinals.

Alex Smith saved the game-winning drive with a 25-yard run on a fourth and one. Those last few minutes were one of the most exciting and frustrating minutes of my life. But you have to admit, Alex Smith did what he had to do to lead the 49ers to the game winning touchdown.

Not to say I admit we did get really lucky with that fumble at the end, (I think it was Arnaz that fumbled it) and that the defender didn't recover it. But yes, at that moment I thought Alex Smith was amazing.

Looking back a bit more, we of course look to the second meeting against the Seahawks in the 2006-07 season. This was the game where we saw Smith's famous "brushing off the sack and TD throw to Frank Gore" play.

No he didn't brush off that sack; he evaded it in a pro-style.

Beautiful. Gorgeous.

And of course we can't forget that play Norv turner called at the end where Smith faked the hand off to the right and ran in toward the left for the TD. Amazing.

Anyway, when Alex Smith DID NOT play badly, he looked marvelous as a quarterback. Completing passes, scrambling, exciting, electrifying, a bit reminiscent of the Jeff Garcia pro-bowler days. In the '06 season never did anyone blame the offense nor question Alex Smith's ability (as much as we do now).

We didn't look at Smith as a struggling, possible bust, but as a slowly improving, hard-working, growing young NFL franchise player.

I remember the blame all went on the defense, which of course got greatly bolstered with the addition of Nate Clements, Micheal Lewis, Patrick Willis, improved Manny Lawson, Tully Banta-Cain in the offseason of 2007.

OK marvelous is an overstatement I know, but compared to his play this past season, marvelous is nothing short of.

I'd like to share a nice music-background highlight reel I found on a famous streaming video website of Alex Smith in the 2006-07 season. Watching that video made me believe he was indeed the future.

And then we had the 2007 season.

But I suppose I shouldn't share any outside media sources without any consent. If you're truly interested let me know.

How about Alex Smith now?

Yes, watching in 2007 made me cringe and hurt myself more than I've ever wanted. Even though his contract has been extended, he is not guaranteed the starting job and will compete with Shaun Hill.

That's fine. It just saddens me to see what has happened to this kid. It's a bit awkward to call him a kid since him and I are exactly the same age (born in 1984).

But it's healthy for the body and mind that one should try your best to look at the brighter side of things. I know this is outside of being a realist in terms of football, but I want to be healthy.

I have faith in Alex Smith. With the supposed "gift" from Nolan to Smith, Martz should bring him a better, more experienced and tested offense to run. Provided everyone else is healthy and the offensive line is fine, Smith will save the 49ers.

Though it may seem contradictory to my previous article about Frank Gore, let me say this:

Gore's success will not come if Alex Smith plays terribly, but I don't he will be terrible. At least not as bad as he was this year. I'm not asking for 30 TDs and 3500 yards. I'm asking for no interceptions and wins.

OK scratch that, I'm looking for good quarterbacking (at least 200 yards and least one TD pass a game) with minimal interceptions and wins.

Gore may be the one to take us to the playoffs, but it is Alex Smith who will keep the 49ers alive.

As was said in last year's promotion for the 49ers: BELIEVE.

If Frank Gore Dominates, 49ers Win 2008 NFC West Title

Ryan Friday — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:56:36 -0400

A new Offensive Coordinator, a few new players, quarterback controversy, growing young defense, inconsistent offensive line, Vernon Davis, a cornucopia of questionable WR's, and...Frank Gore.

This is the 2008 San Francisco 49ers.

I know in a previous article I mentioned that the 49er offense will slump once again, giving the defense more play time than they should thus having yet another losing season. However...

What of Frank Gore? The star of the 49er '06 season, and perhaps the star of all the NFC running backs at that time.

Because of an inexperienced offensive coordinator, the seemingly promising but disappointing O-Line performance, and lack of any air attack whatsoever, Frank Gore's effectiveness diminished in '07.

To some people it may not have been because of all that. Gore could have possibly been a one season wonder.

However I'm here to say it is the former, and how well he does next year will determine the success of the 49er offense, therefore the 49er season.

Consider Cadillac Williams and his one great year, Reuben Droughns and that one good year with the Broncos.

Let's focus on the 49ers and remember a guy named Kevan Barlow sharing time with Garrison Hearst, in which he had one decent season (remember him?).

At that time many thought he really was the future, and now I don't think he's currently on any team- oh the Dennis Ericson days.

Anyway, Frank Gore must succeed. In a popular philosophy many agree with, in order to be successful a team must have a running game.

When we look at Mike Martz in his glory days back with the Rams, he had future hall of famer Marshall Faulk and then Steven Jackson (even his backup running backs I recall were fairly decent).

Critics say he dislikes running the ball but I hardly think so, otherwise we wouldn't call Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson great while Martz was there.

In his situation at Detroit, Martz just lacked great running backs. Kevin Jones and Tatum Bell may have been mediocre even after Martz left. The Lions have parted ways with Jones.

Looking back at Frank Gore's ability, Martz now has that running back: he can run, and has pretty decent hands (not saying he's currently as good as Marshall Faulk, but I claim to be on par with Steven Jackson).

Even with the joke offense the niners had in '07, Frank Gore was still able to surpass the 1000-yard mark.

How is that possible?

Because Frank Gore is incredible and fights for yards. So, provided the Offensive Line gets bolstered in the draft or in the next months of fr, ee agency, and more importantly, improves drastically in consistency and mentality, this Offense will flourish.

Any good running game takes pressure off the QB, opening up the air attack. In order for Martz to have his successful passing game, he needs this great running back, and vice versa.

If that should happen, the 49ers will win the West. Seattle only wins the West because every other team is terrible.

Remember, two seasons ago in Gore's best season, the 49ers beat the Seahawks both times.

In addition, anyone can agree that even though Seattle won the West in the recent years, the records were 8-8, 9-7, 10-6 alongside teams that are 5-11,4-12, 6-10 etc, shows how good they really aren't.

Though I suppose we should watch out for the Cardinals being the next team to challenge Seattle for the West, but like any other team that has been out of the playoffs for 8938 years (or whatever the actual number is), they'll just end up blowing it for themselves again.

So Frank Gore, our hope rests in your hands. Please have a great season, save Mike Nolan and Alex Smith's jobs, and make football fun again for 49er fans.