so what is going on with the 49ers?

[deljzc]

In my opinion, it's the risk that comes when you string your head coach out too much.

The rumors of Harbaugh leaving San Francisco were in the news since last off-season. The same "two-years left" like Tomlin will have this year was decided by both parties NOT to be extended. That's an indication one or both sides is not 100% sold on what was going on and the future of the organization.

To me that opens up descent in the locker room. Any player that doesn't like Harbaugh or his rough methods can kind of undermine the entire team-building process and wait out a season until a new coach is hired. If the owner/GM don't have a coach's back 100%, then it's hard for the coach to instill the fear of God and the ability to cut anyone, anytime from the head coach. Any time a coach is coming up on the end of a contract it's much easier to find leaks to the media on dirt.

I agree Kaepernick isn't as good as people thought. His accuracy has always been an issue and teams ARE learning how to defend the QB run-option a lot better than in the past (well, except the Steelers). To me, Kaepernick's entire game is predicated on the run-option threat. But that takes being able to run the ball when handing it off for the running backs (not working this year). It takes bad play from DE's (not happening in general much around the league). And it takes good down and distance control in the passing game to generate favorable, simple high-low reads to wide open receivers in the pass game (hasn't happened as much).

Combine that with maybe a tick higher injuries (or maybe they were fortunate on injuries the past couple seasons - particularly on the O-line) and you have a team that struggles to win and put away games. A 12-4 team becomes an 8-8 team.

 

[Superman]

To me that opens up descent in the locker room. Any player that doesn't like Harbaugh or his rough methods can kind of undermine the entire team-building process and wait out a season until a new coach is hired. If the owner/GM don't have a coach's back 100%, then it's hard for the coach to instill the fear of God and the ability to cut anyone, anytime from the head coach.

which may be why Brooks is still starting. ****, if a player "checked" himself out (i.e. quit) during a game, I'd have a hard time keeping the dude on the roster.

 

[Punxsutawney]

I think his attitude is a big problem for players. There is a difference between being hard / old school and an *******. I heard that in camp in various drills he would make the winning side do the extra sprints or work. Does not make any sense. You can be hard on the players, but you have to respect them. I get the impression he does not respect the players / management much.

I just do not think he differentiates much between the way he treated 18-22 year old kids and the way he treats millionaire athletes, which creates some problems,

The whole thing there is just odd, as usually these types of situations where there is animosity and tension between players, GM and the coach seem to boil over only in losing environments, but the 49ers hav been on the verge of winning the Super Bowl every year Harbaugh has been there prior to this year.

Things must be pretty ******* bad if everyone involved cannot find a way to co-exist enough to make THAT work. Apparently, Harbaugh and the GM Baalke hardly even talk to each other anymore. An organization just cannot function when the relationship between the top two decision makers as eroded to that extent.

I tend to think there's more to it than just Harbaugh being a douche. That whole setup there is just volatile with a lot of rather colorful personalities in the locker room, and Baalke, by most accounts, not exactly being a ray of sunshine himself.

Something there just has to give, and I'm not sure it's as much Baalke and ownership pushing him out, as it is Harbaugh looking to get out, Remember those odd reports during the offseason, that it was actually Harbaugh himself, not the 49ers, who initiated the dialogue with the Browns.

 

[Punxsutawney]

This is my take. They are tied to Kap and Harbaugh's schtick has grown old. That, and they've also been ravaged by injuries this year.

There are multiple performance based clauses in Kaepernick's contract. There a ways the 49ers can get out of it.

 

[steelermania]

Michigan is sure taking their time naming a coach. With SF out of the playoff race, might he be ready to make that move now?

 

[madinsomniac]

Michigan is sure taking their time naming a coach. With SF out of the playoff race, might he be ready to make that move now?

or you letn them fire you and take the money

 

[Superman]

speculation that he'll coach the Wolverines next season. so, Heinz57 has that to look forward to.

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/sports/...-as-michigans-next-head-coach.html/?a=viewall

 

[ark steel]

How would a coach trade to Oakland work? Seems like his contract would give him the option to veto the trade, but I guess, it might not.

 

[Superman]

How would a coach trade to Oakland work? Seems like his contract would give him the option to veto the trade, but I guess, it might not.

my understanding is he'd have to agree to a contract with the other team first. then negotiations on releasing him from his 49ers contract would take place between the other NFL team and the 9ers. The 9ers would then either let him go; ask for compensation in the form of draft picks or release certain coaches on his staff as a sort of hostage negotiation situation.

 

[thesteelcity]

Playing Devil's Advocate, why would he go to Michigan if Oakland wants him? Besides money, of course. I realize he came from Stanford, but the NFL would trump a college gig, I'd think. Plus, I heard Miami may be interested. If I was him, I'd give the NFL one more shot before going back to college. Just my opinion.

 

[stuntmanmike]

Your not going to win year in year out on emotion in the nfl. Thr ra ra ra guys never last. Teams that bring their lunch pale to work every Sunday and get down to the dirty business of doing what it takes to win, win year in year out without a lot of fanfare.

 

[blitzburghv5]

I think his attitude is a big problem for players. There is a difference between being hard / old school and an *******. I heard that in camp in various drills he would make the winning side do the extra sprints or work. Does not make any sense. You can be hard on the players, but you have to respect them. I get the impression he does not respect the players / management much.

And to think, some folks around here want or wanted Jim Harbaugh as head coach

 

[ark steel]

Playing Devil's Advocate, why would he go to Michigan if Oakland wants him? Besides money, of course. I realize he came from Stanford, but the NFL would trump a college gig, I'd think. Plus, I heard Miami may be interested. If I was him, I'd give the NFL one more shot before going back to college. Just my opinion.

I'd rather go to Cleveland than Oakland..... Oakland. Ugh.

 

[Superman]

And to think, some folks around here want or wanted Jim Harbaugh as head coach

That's odd. I don't see anyone suggesting that now. And it does seen as if Harbaugh is available.

 

[Hines57]

They gave $100M to Kap. End of story.

 

[thesteelcity]

I'd rather go to Cleveland than Oakland..... Oakland. Ugh.

Hmm, to get hit with a hammer in the gut or face? Choices, choices. . .lol

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Using the same criteria that one would judge Tomlin under:

Kap regressing is Harbaugh's fault - He failed to motivate him to put in the work required during the off season. He also failed to coach him up.
Pass catchers - See above
Injuries and suspensions - Harbaugh's fault. He obviously must not have them on an above the line free weight program. Plus, he has failed to monitor their behavior away from the facilities.
Gore getting old - Harbaugh's fault because they have failed to draft an adequate replacement prior to this year. Now that they have one, he must not be any good because Gore is still seeing a majority of the snaps.
There are a myriad of other issues with the '9ers, but they are all Harbaugh's fault.

I agree with most of this. Harbaugh is to blame for much of this. He inherited a top OL and a very good defense. Harbaugh chose Kaepernick and is responsible for him being overpaid and his regression.

I also remember back in the draft. They were drafting players who couldn't even play due to various issues and saying they did it because they are sooooo good that they could waste picks on guys who essentially have to "redshirt" for a year or two. The media actually applauded their superior strategy because the media is a bunch of incompetent fools.

 

[Superman]

it's kinda ****** that Harbaugh will be gone after this season, but the 9ers will have that albatross of a QB around their necks for a few years longer.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

But... Why? I'd heard speculation that he was/is the next great coach. Shouldn't that fact be considered?

I thought they were going to be a dynasty too and battle it out annually with Seattle for a few years.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

I agree with most of this. Harbaugh is to blame for much of this. He inherited a top OL and a very good defense. Harbaugh chose Kaepernick and is responsible for him being overpaid and his regression.

I also remember back in the draft. They were drafting players who couldn't even play due to various issues and saying they did it because they are sooooo good that they could waste picks on guys who essentially have to "redshirt" for a year or two. The media actually applauded their superior strategy because the media is a bunch of incompetent fools.

Never understood drafting that running back out of South Carolina. Lattimore wasn't it? I mean I understand taking a late round flyer on a previously injured player who has proven that he's almost back; the Rats did it with McGahee and it worked out fairly well for them. But, Lattimore was coming off of at least two knee injuries requiring surgery if I remember correctly and was nowhere near healthy.

 

[F83]

SF will regress at least 3 years from losing him, the team that should line up to get him is the Jets.
KAP SUCKS
Crabtree is soft
Davis @ Gore finished goods

 

[Superman]

Never understood drafting that running back out of South Carolina. Lattimore wasn't it? I mean I understand taking a late round flyer on a previously injured player who has proven that he's almost back; the Rats did it with McGahee and it worked out fairly well for them. But, Lattimore was coming off of at least two knee injuries requiring surgery if I remember correctly and was nowhere near healthy.

yeah, it was Lattimore. Though with him, if he had gotten back on the field, he'd have been an exceptional back. hell, he was nothing short of spectacular prior to his knee injury.

 

[POP]

Kaepernick is the biggest problem. It seems like they got the most out of him as they could, as the league has adjusted and is exploiting his weaknesses.

Also, I would imagine an environment where it's largely been assumed since the start of the season that the HC is going to be fired or traded isn't very conducive to winning.

/\ /\ /\ THIS, ala Cowher 2006. They say Harbaugh burns everyone around him out, and by the time he left Stanford, they were like good riddance. They say the mng, staff and players are tired of him in SF too.

 

[Litos]

Never understood drafting that running back out of South Carolina. Lattimore wasn't it? I mean I understand taking a late round flyer on a previously injured player who has proven that he's almost back; the Rats did it with McGahee and it worked out fairly well for them. But, Lattimore was coming off of at least two knee injuries requiring surgery if I remember correctly and was nowhere near healthy.

it was a very late 4th IIRC so it was almost like a 5th round pick

 

[ark steel]

Chicago could trade Cutler for Harbaugh. The 49ers might throw in Kap.