Who needs to step up in 2015?

[BossChief]

We have a big opportunity to do something big next year and I truly believe that. At least 1 playoff game should be won if some things fall into place and we need a few guys to step up their game for us to have success next year.

Here's the idea...pick a player and tell us why and how he is gonna step up next year and what kind of an impact that can make on the team.

I'll take the low hanging fruit to kick it off.

1) Alex Smith. No question, this is the time to put up or shut up. He was comfortable throwing to Avant and Wilson towards the end of last year (and that's pretty much it) and they both return and we added a guy that will be open all over the field in Jeremy Maclin. We are sure to add another receiver in the draft, too. With our running game and upgrades to the OL, there are NO EXCUSES for him to not have a big year that gets us into the playoffs. It's his third year in the system and that's when the jump usually happens for quarterbacks. He should be comfortable getting more and more aggressive with the ball as the year goes on and everybody gets on the same page.

It all starts and ends with him and I think the team has the horsepower to win a playoff game or more if he steps it up this year.

2) ????

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Defense? It's much better than you think.



Now the Run D needs improvement.



Wasn't the overall D top 5?

In points allowed I believe we were tied at #2. In yardage we were somewhere around #10, IIRC.

#2 pass defense in terms of yards but the run D was somewhere in the 20s. We all know that area needs work but I think DJ and Devito should help out a bit. Who knows, maybe we'll draft another DE or ILB that can help as well..

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by O.city

Maclin needs to be as advertised, but alot of thag will be based on the qb

A lot of what has hurt Alex in terms of receivers has been them being almost completely unreliable.

Even Bowe had to be pointed at where to line up and wasn't being reliable once the ball was delivered.

AJ Jenkins was terrible at everything.

Hemmingway was strictly a special teams stud and didn't offer anything at receiver. He had terrible hands, was slow, didn't run the best routes and just couldn't get on the field.

When Avery was healthy, Alex targeted him often...including downfield. He got open and Alex found him. Unfortunately for him, he just can't stay healthy or I bet they would love to have him back. Alex had 36 throws in 2013 that traveled 21+ yards in the air and that dropped to 18 last year with a lesser OL and no Avery.

Once Wilson got up to speed, Alex trusted him, too. That meant he was where he was supposed to be when he was supposed to be there and made the plays when they were there to be made...including down the field.

Once Avant got here, Alex had instant trust in him to be where he needed to be when he was supposed to be there and made the play.

Deanthony Thomas was basically a gadget guy, but he also got the trust of Alex when he shifted out wide or in the slot. He has that crazy speed and acceleration that isn't replicatable, too. I read the other day that he was only given a small amount of the playbook last year and is being given more this year, so I expect him to play a bigger role.

Then we get to Travis Kelce (quickly becoming my favorite player) who kicks defenders asses by owning while blocking and catching everything in site and turning the play upfield. Alex not only trusts him, he seems to want to feed him the ball as much as possible.


As it sits right now, we are bringing back the guys Alex trusted from last year and added a PERFECT receiver as the go to guy that has elite speed, route running ability and hands....and also has a few years in the system so he knows the playbook and should be able to contribute in a huge way right away.

That's 5 trustworthy weapons in the passing game that 3 of which have speed to consistently get open deep and on the shorter routes.

I think they will add another receiver through the draft and then also try to develop Rodgers...who is the dark horse for the #2 spot.

.....l

I think this is gonna be EASILY the most talented offense Alex has EVER been on and personally, I think they have done an amazing job at trying to find the exact kind of pieces to put around him to help him step up and put in performances like the playoff game, going forward.

I'm very excited to see Alex Smith operate in this offense this year and beyond...I think he's gonna ascend into the second tier of quarterbacks and lead us to the first playoff win in what seems like forever.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Allen Bailey.

We know Houston and Poe will bring it. Hali and Ford will probably be a mixed bag.

We need to get pressure from our down linemen.

how about Howard?

He's gonna be battling with Devito to start at RDE and impressed last year.

Originally Posted by Numbah One

I can't debate with you because you literally believe scabs like Fulton, Kush and Stephenson are good football players, or have the potential to be.

It's like debating with someone who thought McCluster was talented.

Oh wait...

haha

Well, I believe that once we draft 1 or 2 linemen in the draft, this line is gonna be vastly improved with impressive depth.

Sorry that you can't see that going from McGlynn and Linkenbsch to Grubbs and a high draft pick is vastly improving the line, but sometimes you have to lose a bet to learn a lesson.

Originally Posted by milkman

I'm going to step outside the box and say that Laurent Duverny-Tardiff is the guy that needs to step up.

This idea that guys that move like they are weighed down with anchors chained to their ankles (Fulton and Fanaika) are somehow magically improve from anchor laden scrub status is almost absurd.

LDT, with his combination of size and athleticism could possibly be the next great NFL guard.

You and I have seen eye to eye on damn near everything over the years (except Barry Richardson and Dexter McCluster) so maybe I need to do more research on this kid. He's way under my radar.

When you make a statement like that, it's pretty exciting.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Can we get a mod here !!!!!!

Clay needs to be renamed "Debbie Downer"

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Sorry that you can't see that going from McGlynn and Linkenbsch to Grubbs and a high draft pick is vastly improving the line, but sometimes you have to lose a bet to learn a lesson.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Can we get a mod here !!!!!!

Clay needs to be renamed "Debbie Downer"

Clays football takes are generally ridiculous.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Clays football takes are generally ridiculous.

He is just trolling. It's crazy that everyone can't see it.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Clays football takes are generally ridiculous.

I don't think he used to be this bad, seems like the more weight he loses... the worse his football acumen is.

[TimBone]

That's a nice post by Milkman about LDT. And holy **** woukd it be great if he stepped up.

[TimBone]

And I also almost choked laughing when Scott Free told Clay to go get fat again.

[DaNewGuy]

Clay really needs to step up in 2015, his trolling is sub par as of late but hopefully he has a good offseason to repair these glaring issues

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by TimBone

That's a nice post by Milkman about LDT. And holy **** woukd it be great if he stepped up.

He sure seems to have the tools to be pretty good. Both physically and especially mentally.

[O.city]

Ldt doesn't seem to be committed to football though

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Sofa King

dicky mcelephant. this dude was once a good poster, now he licks taints. plus i beat him arm wrestling that day at loochy's house, right before i banged dmac's old lady.

Prove it.

Plus your AV is gay as ****.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by O.city

Ldt doesn't seem to be committed to football though

Yeah, he already has a very lucrative post football career locked in... makes you wonder how hard he will fight to play ball.

Theres already a good bit of competition at guard now, then throw in a draftee or two and you have to wonder if it will make him resentful and even more determined... or if he just says eh **** it, I already have another way to get rich.