Happy

I think they want a stud DE, but the type of money Clowney wants will probably cause Beane to look at other FAs that may be available. This might be a good poll...

The thing with Jordan Phillips is he is a 3-tech DT who also played 1-tech out of necessity. With Harrison Phillips coming back, as it stands now, Jordan isn't worth the money he seems to want. IMO, Harrison is not really built like a 1-tech and probably should slide over to the 3-tech spot, then draft or buy a true 1-tech who is hopefully over 320 lbs and can push the G and C back, as well as occupy two blockers in rush defense; we don't have that right now. It would be good to get Shaq back, then draft or buy a better DE. Murphy isn't worth keeping around, IMO, as he was typically ineffective and pushed out of the play by the RT.

Don't forget Ed Oliver. I also think the D-line will be addressed. They will try and re-sign Shaq; I suspect Phillips will be gone since he thinks he's getting $14M or $17M per year. Shaq is more of a priority and I think his deal gets done. A stud DE/edge will replace Murphy, as well as a true 1-tech DT is brought in to help with stopping the run. IMO, we don't have a true 1-tech right now and that has been a problem; hopefully McD and Beane see this.

If I'm LeSean McCoy, I'm still thinking back to the Eagles SB victory and wishing I never got traded; so there has to be some disappointment there. As a fan, I'm glad he was a Bill for a while; but as a player, he has to be thinking back and wishing he was able to stay with the team that drafted him. If KC wins, maybe McCoy gets some satisfaction, but he was never a major contributor to the team and is a short timer. If they lose it still stings, though probably not as bad as if he was more invested in KC.

Goodwin, though he is on IR. Still a 49er

Not sure how committed Bruce Arians is to Jameis Winston in Tampa as a starter next year. Of any of the Florida teams, Tampa could be the best FA QB landing spot. I would think Frank Reich is fairly happy with Jacoby Brisette and their GM recently remarked they want to continue to build through the draft.

I suspect you're right that Beane and McD have a plan in place to address the needs on the D-line, as well as other positions; time will tell if it is a good/correct plan. What they can't do is say they want continuity because that ruined Carolina the year after the SB loss. Replace and upgrade positions that need fixed such as DE/edge, 1-tech DT, RT, WR, RB, OLB. Don't bring back a Trent Murphy just for continuity sake. I like the optimism in your post and hope you're spot on.

I believe we still have pieces we need to add to the D-line and O-line, especially the right side; those are a priority, before a skill position. I'm aware we need a WR1 and a RB to alternate with Singletary. We have enough cap space and draft picks that we should be able to address these needs this off season. So saying offense first, then defense if we have time and resources is not the correct way to go about filling in gaps.

If this is the case, we're in a lot of trouble regarding player evaluation and coaching. We just got a new D-line coach and I expect reinforcements on the d-line, as well.

It's more about how the 49ers are built, from the lines out. Not necessarily running more; they ran to expose GB and Pettine's weakness in rush D.

We may need to add as many as four to the front seven: (2) DE/edge if Shaq leaves, (1) if he stays; (1) 1-tech DT, slide Harrison Phillips over to the 3-tech; and possibly (1) OLB if Vosean Joseph isn't the answer, or anyone else on the roster IMO, this regime is weak on the D-line; they say they want QB sacks and pressure, but they're not investing enough to get that. Then there is rush defense troubles, which starts with the D-line.

If I was a betting man, I'd take that right now. I think the 9ers are going to beat the Chiefs by double digits.

I was exaggerating. I would think SF -3.5

Not that I recall. He will probably be forced to; he has to do more than just rush the passer with his front seven

I was exaggerating a little. Realistically SF -3.5

pretty low. This was the best Packer defense in years. I'm sure that LaFleur will want him to tighten up the run D, though.

I'm thinking SF -6.5 to start

The NFL is weighed too heavily toward the offense. Too difficult to play pass defense

According to our Pats fan visitors, this is not true. Brady signed an extension in the off season prior to the trade, so he wasn't going anywhere; it wouldn't have made sense cap wise.

Their primary responsibility is pass defense, which they have the build for. Rush defense is primarily the D-line, at least this seems what the scheme is.

McD and Frazier would play a soft zone the entire second half.

I guess the run game is not dead. You can have a strong rush, and win in the NFL.

Or without a stout D-line

Mahomes will probably try some side arm crap and get picked

Jimmy G is susceptible to a rush up the middle. He tends to collapse under pressure. The 49er defense will cause a lot of problems for Mahomes.