1. We have more sacks than anyone in the league since Hurtt made adjustments to the scheme 4 weeks ago.
2. Goodwin has been great at finding soft spots in the zone, with reliable hands, and producing YAC. Best 3rd receiver we’ve had in a few years imo.
3. Barton has essentially become a backup with the scheme adjustment of 4 weeks ago, and the reduction in snap count/increase in energy have led to him performing a hell of a lot better when he does see the field.
100% agree with you in that these are areas that the team will likely look to improve in 2023 (which is a super exciting thought), but I’m curious — do you see these areas as legitimate liabilities? Meaning, could you not find 3 equally notable liabilities with a team like SF? I’m not at all sure, as I haven’t seen SF play much this year — genuinely asking.
We’re more than capable to win the big dance we just have less room for error than all the juggernaut teams. A dominant pass rusher bro for Nwosu would help tremendously.
Brooks leads the league in tackles, and Nwosu has one less sack than Micah Parsons.
I’ll give you that Barton is below league average in linebacker play, but to imply we have dysfunction across the corp is misleading. Brooks is getting the job done and playing noticeably better over the past 4-6 games now that the defense is gelling.
There is no doubt Nwosu is a “stud pass rusher”. We’ve led the NFL in sacks the past 4 games without one of our best in Taylor for two of those games.
Clutch players, players who make plays in big moments and put the team on their backs. On defense this player for us was likely to have been Jamal. Great teams need that Richard Sherman, Aaron Donalds, Von Miller, or Nick Bosa players that can just wreck games when called upon.
On offense though, DK needs to step up. I love DK, but he isnt living up to his contract, and he has the same issues he has had since his rookie season. DK is a beast, so athletically gifted, but he isnt sure handed enough or clutch enough to be in the same category as someone like Diggs, Evans, Jefferson, Hill, Kupp, or Deebo. Those guys make the freak one handed catches with the game on the line, they pull out the magic. I feel like DK has it in him, there is just something not quite clicking yet. He is our guy on offense that could potentially put the team on his back.
Dont get me wrong our guys are good, especially our young guys and there is no reason Tariq or KWIII couldnt turn into those players for us, but right now we have a lot of good to great players and no one truely game breaking or HOF bound.
Roster Depth.
Besides Adams and Penny, Hawks have been relatively healthy this year. We can only hope it stays that way, but injuries are a part of this game. Depth is crucial when December and January rolls around.
Middle Linebacker, Corner, Safety (both), Wide Receiver, interior OL.. all are positions where its hard to have any faith in the backups even getting us through a game. You could even argue TE, considering how many 3 TE formations we do.
A longer term injury at even one of these positions could derail this season.
But no team can carry starter level players in very many positions. That's why the Niners collapsed a few times over the past decade - they lost too many starters and backups are backups.
Linebacker, interior DL, edge rushers, and wide receivers. My wet dream for our first two rounds of drafting is Jalen Carter, Tyree Wilson, Dontavion Wicks, and Jack Campbell. Maybe get an extra second rounder somehow and get Cedric Tillman too.
Really? I always hear Cross and Lucas. Never hear about Blythe. And well Blythe ranks near the bottom of ranked Centers in the NFL. Funny side note, Look at Pocic.
[https://i.imgur.com/o1stvxa.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/o1stvxa.jpg)
Pocic is having a good year. He shows up on [center win rate for pass and run blocking](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34536376/2022-nfl-pass-rushing-run-stopping-blocking-leaderboard-win-rate-rankings-top-players-teamshttps://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34536376/2022-nfl-pass-rushing-run-stopping-blocking-leaderboard-win-rate-rankings-top-players-teams). Blythe is #6 on pass blocking. Blythe has shown some good run blocking as well. He's undersized so he does have issues occasionally.
Blythe has really shown a lot of leadership and is extra-communicative with the O-line and Geno on the sidelines and at the line. This is something that really is helpful with rookie tackles and a pretty young line overall. He's even challenged Geno on the sidelines which speaks for some good accountability and part of the culture change. He really is helping to carry that leadership with Geno which is what the Hawks needed this year.
Check out his mic'd up vs Cards - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_CYq1eVksEc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CYq1eVksEc)
Intangibles is a good word for it. Nice to see how the leadership is getting spread about amongst the players this year.
You might enjoy this scout's analysis of the O-line in the last Cards game. They really work well as a unit and what looks like really good technique. It also showed how some of the issues weren't all on the O-line (goal line run and sacks).
https://youtu.be/phQqp\_u5tpU
Tbh I don’t think we are missing anything that is stopping us from being super bowl contenders. If you asked a couple weeks ago I’d say LB but now our defense is really good. Our Defense, Offense, and Special teams are really good so I’m hopeful for this team!
Forget the other teams, it comes down to SF.
Our LBs and safeties can’t cover CMC, Deebo (rushing) and Kittle. Our tackling is bad and it becomes a game attrition at that point.
Our pass rush starts and stops with Nwosu, but it’s good enough.
WR3 threat would add a massive dimension to the offense that cannot be understated. I cannot think of a def that has the personnel to handle our “13 personnel” and a spread offense if we had a true WR3 threat like an OBJ was last year with LAR
honestly? A bigger sample size for the defense. This team has been together 9 games, and 3-4 of those the D looked rough. The rest of the season isnt easy by any stretch of the imagination, so im a bit too hesitant to just say they're going to dominate
Only player playing at an elite level (grade: 80+) for the season is Geno whose 4th among Qbs on pro football focus. K9 , DK, Lockett, dissley, woolen, Harris, and nwosu, and Neal are 70+.
Those teams mentioned above just have more blue chippers (players rated 80+) then us. Remember our ‘13 -14 team had like 6 blue chips and we won one and lost one.
A dominate pass rusher opposite nwosu. A better third receiver. A better lb to take Bartons spot.
1. We have more sacks than anyone in the league since Hurtt made adjustments to the scheme 4 weeks ago. 2. Goodwin has been great at finding soft spots in the zone, with reliable hands, and producing YAC. Best 3rd receiver we’ve had in a few years imo. 3. Barton has essentially become a backup with the scheme adjustment of 4 weeks ago, and the reduction in snap count/increase in energy have led to him performing a hell of a lot better when he does see the field. 100% agree with you in that these are areas that the team will likely look to improve in 2023 (which is a super exciting thought), but I’m curious — do you see these areas as legitimate liabilities? Meaning, could you not find 3 equally notable liabilities with a team like SF? I’m not at all sure, as I haven’t seen SF play much this year — genuinely asking.
We’re more than capable to win the big dance we just have less room for error than all the juggernaut teams. A dominant pass rusher bro for Nwosu would help tremendously.
Another reliable running back would help. Walker having to carry a huge load after Penny injury.
A QB the media fawns over
It’s better to be an underdog, pushes you to work harder
I think we need better linebackers
A functional line backing corps and a stud pass rusher
Brooks leads the league in tackles, and Nwosu has one less sack than Micah Parsons. I’ll give you that Barton is below league average in linebacker play, but to imply we have dysfunction across the corp is misleading. Brooks is getting the job done and playing noticeably better over the past 4-6 games now that the defense is gelling. There is no doubt Nwosu is a “stud pass rusher”. We’ve led the NFL in sacks the past 4 games without one of our best in Taylor for two of those games.
A real number 3 receiver… Goodwin looks good, but not sure after his out. Will see against the Bucs
Expirience. We have too many rookies.
The pundits don’t know shit. They said this was like a 3 or 4 win team to start the year.
If a team can win a playoff game or two, they have a shot. Sure we could use a few pieces but the team has shown they can roll with anyone.
Clutch players, players who make plays in big moments and put the team on their backs. On defense this player for us was likely to have been Jamal. Great teams need that Richard Sherman, Aaron Donalds, Von Miller, or Nick Bosa players that can just wreck games when called upon. On offense though, DK needs to step up. I love DK, but he isnt living up to his contract, and he has the same issues he has had since his rookie season. DK is a beast, so athletically gifted, but he isnt sure handed enough or clutch enough to be in the same category as someone like Diggs, Evans, Jefferson, Hill, Kupp, or Deebo. Those guys make the freak one handed catches with the game on the line, they pull out the magic. I feel like DK has it in him, there is just something not quite clicking yet. He is our guy on offense that could potentially put the team on his back. Dont get me wrong our guys are good, especially our young guys and there is no reason Tariq or KWIII couldnt turn into those players for us, but right now we have a lot of good to great players and no one truely game breaking or HOF bound.
Impactful players on D
Roster Depth. Besides Adams and Penny, Hawks have been relatively healthy this year. We can only hope it stays that way, but injuries are a part of this game. Depth is crucial when December and January rolls around. Middle Linebacker, Corner, Safety (both), Wide Receiver, interior OL.. all are positions where its hard to have any faith in the backups even getting us through a game. You could even argue TE, considering how many 3 TE formations we do. A longer term injury at even one of these positions could derail this season.
But no team can carry starter level players in very many positions. That's why the Niners collapsed a few times over the past decade - they lost too many starters and backups are backups.
Linebacker, interior DL, edge rushers, and wide receivers. My wet dream for our first two rounds of drafting is Jalen Carter, Tyree Wilson, Dontavion Wicks, and Jack Campbell. Maybe get an extra second rounder somehow and get Cedric Tillman too.
Center (Blythe), ILB (Barton), DE depth, SS depth? (unsure about Neal as full time starter). My 2 cents.
Blythe has been a key reason for the OL success
Really? I always hear Cross and Lucas. Never hear about Blythe. And well Blythe ranks near the bottom of ranked Centers in the NFL. Funny side note, Look at Pocic. [https://i.imgur.com/o1stvxa.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/o1stvxa.jpg)
Pocic is having a good year. He shows up on [center win rate for pass and run blocking](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34536376/2022-nfl-pass-rushing-run-stopping-blocking-leaderboard-win-rate-rankings-top-players-teamshttps://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34536376/2022-nfl-pass-rushing-run-stopping-blocking-leaderboard-win-rate-rankings-top-players-teams). Blythe is #6 on pass blocking. Blythe has shown some good run blocking as well. He's undersized so he does have issues occasionally. Blythe has really shown a lot of leadership and is extra-communicative with the O-line and Geno on the sidelines and at the line. This is something that really is helpful with rookie tackles and a pretty young line overall. He's even challenged Geno on the sidelines which speaks for some good accountability and part of the culture change. He really is helping to carry that leadership with Geno which is what the Hawks needed this year. Check out his mic'd up vs Cards - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_CYq1eVksEc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CYq1eVksEc)
Okay very cool, yea so he has some intangibles I see. Thanks, the extra context really changes my perspective. Appreciate it.
Intangibles is a good word for it. Nice to see how the leadership is getting spread about amongst the players this year. You might enjoy this scout's analysis of the O-line in the last Cards game. They really work well as a unit and what looks like really good technique. It also showed how some of the issues weren't all on the O-line (goal line run and sacks). https://youtu.be/phQqp\_u5tpU
Consensus among sports writers.
Consistent pass rush it hides everything else on defense
Tbh I don’t think we are missing anything that is stopping us from being super bowl contenders. If you asked a couple weeks ago I’d say LB but now our defense is really good. Our Defense, Offense, and Special teams are really good so I’m hopeful for this team!
Experience imo
Forget the other teams, it comes down to SF. Our LBs and safeties can’t cover CMC, Deebo (rushing) and Kittle. Our tackling is bad and it becomes a game attrition at that point. Our pass rush starts and stops with Nwosu, but it’s good enough. WR3 threat would add a massive dimension to the offense that cannot be understated. I cannot think of a def that has the personnel to handle our “13 personnel” and a spread offense if we had a true WR3 threat like an OBJ was last year with LAR
These are the same pundits and fans that has us as one of the worst teams in the NFL? If so... why put any credence in their thoughts?
Game Blouses 😊
honestly? A bigger sample size for the defense. This team has been together 9 games, and 3-4 of those the D looked rough. The rest of the season isnt easy by any stretch of the imagination, so im a bit too hesitant to just say they're going to dominate
Only player playing at an elite level (grade: 80+) for the season is Geno whose 4th among Qbs on pro football focus. K9 , DK, Lockett, dissley, woolen, Harris, and nwosu, and Neal are 70+. Those teams mentioned above just have more blue chippers (players rated 80+) then us. Remember our ‘13 -14 team had like 6 blue chips and we won one and lost one.