"If you speak for the fans, I want to speak to the fans: Get excited about what we're doing today. Get excited for where we're going now. I'm the head coach this year... We know exactly who we are and we know exactly where we're going and all I'm asking you and the fans to do is just watch, just listen, and just see. I think we're on to something. I really do." -- Mike Singletary, Head Coach
http://www.knbr.com/common/global_audio/201/5608.mp3
I loved this interview for many reasons. Here's a list of those reason and some other points I'd like to point out...
1. I loved how Coach Sing took the interview in the direction he wanted it to be in, and not allow Ralph push him into a corner. For once, the interviewee refused to be the cooperative, polite guy and decided to push the interviewer around. Sing wasn't gonna take Ralph's shit and just called him out on it. I've made it known of my hatred of Ralph Barbieri. If I had a shit list, Ralph would be in the top 10. It was a breath of fresh air to hear Ralph becoming flustered, for once. That stutter sounds perfect with his nasal voice.
2. I love how "in the moment" Coach Sing is. He doesn't give a shit about what's happened in the past nor does he give a shit about what other people think about the past. All he cares about is what he can do NOW with his team so they can prepare for the future. Ralph tried to bring shit up about the Yorks' poor judgment of the past and Sing's answer was pretty simple: "I don't give a fuck. That has nothing to do with me. The past is the past and this team and I are now." but not in those exact words.
3. I love how he called out the skeptics. Basically, he said he could care less about the skeptics. He's not a skeptic and each person in the organization is not a skeptic either. If you're skeptical about the team, come to a practice, watch them prepare, and then call them skeptical if you can.
4. I love how Coach Sing called out the media. Ralph said there were questions about Warner because there were things that the public weren't sure about. Sing just said "Why does the public have to know?" And it's true. It's not their job to know what happened. It's Sing's job, and as long as he knows what happened and makes good calls based on what happened, everything's good.
4. Again, I love how honest Coach Sing is, especially about his players. More specifically, I love the news about the continuing progress of Kentwan Balmer. We need young players like Balmer to step up and form the foundation for this team. A lot of people rag on him, but again, most of the people that are calling him out don't really understand what kind of player he is. He was probably the unsexiest option at that part of the draft, but he will do his job, and that's more than you could ask from most players in the league. I believe Balmer will be a good player with the potential to be great and will help his teammates succeed. I'm 100% happy with that.
****
Today, the NFL released the official compensatory picks for this year's draft. It looks like I was a little off with my prediction. The 49ers were awarded comp 5th round pick and a 7th round pick instead of a 6th rounder. Oh well... A lot has happened in draft land, so you know what that means...
Mock Draft 6.0
1. CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
The reasoning behind this pick is simple: Malcolm Jenkins is the best player available. We have no shot at Aaron Curry (KC or Seattle), Jason Smith (possibly 1st overall pick), Eugene Monroe (Jacksonville at the latest), Michael Crabtree (same as Monroe), Brian Orakpo (going to the Browns), BJ Raji (won't get passed #9 to the Packers), or Matt Stafford (will be a top 3 pick) so I won't even consider them. We're not going to pick QB Mark Sanchez; I'll slit my wrists if we do. The Niners could reach for OT Andre Smith or DE Aaron Maybin, two players at positions of greater need, but they'd be selling themselves short. Instead, why not go for the safer, more talented pick and shore up a secondary in need of depth? With Jenkins, you'd have a Pro Bowl caliber heir to CB Walt Harris, whose contract expires after the season, or the ball-hawking safety we've needed since... God, I can't remember the last time we had a legit ball-hawking safety. Jenkins was a top-5 pick at one point. A couple slow 40-times later (and an amazingly quick shuttle time...), he free falls to the 10th pick. Regardless, he's an incredible football player and will be a fantastic asset to the team.
2. RB Rashad Jennings, Liberty
No one will be happier about this pick than Frank Gore. Mike Nolan called Frank Gore a young talent in a old veteran's body after his breakout sophomore year in regards to his broken down body due to tremendous wear and tear over the years. If Gore has any chance expanding his career, he'll need to give up some carries and avoid the punishment. The problem is that he's also the centerpiece of the offense and the focal point of the new smash mouth system. Adding Rashad Jennings would give the team a powerful, yet shifty RB that can spell Gore without skipping a beat. With the new run-heavy system being implemented, adding a starting-caliber RB is as big of a need as any other position. Jennings has the talent to churn out a Matt Forte type rookie season on the right team. However, this pick will probably anger fans wanting to address greater needs such as a pass rusher or offensive tackle.
3. OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
"For a team team that plays smash-mouth football, he could be an ideal fit, as you need a city to get around his massive frame." Remember "The Replacements" starring Gene Hackman and Keanu Reeves? Remember those two big tackles that flipped that car over? Chilo Rachal and Phil Loadholt could be the real life versions of those characters. Pairing them together would make running the ball much easier. Allowing him to sit behind Joe Staley and Marvel Smith will also benefit him. This pick also adds some insurance in case David Baas decides to leave after the season. Another option would be a longtime favorite of mine, Fenuki Tupou, one of the fiercest linemen of the draft.
4. OLB David Veikune, Hawaii
Before, I had the Niners selecting DE Cody Brown in the 3rd to help with the pass rush. At this point, I wouldn't even pick him in the 4th if David Veikune was still available. A Senior Bowl stand out, Veikune's high non-stop motor is what separates him from everyone else. His hustle and determination outweigh his athletic shortcomings and will allow him to make an impact, even as a rookie. Furthermore, Veikune clocked in a 1.58 10-yard split, which is comparable to other standout pass rushers from the past and present including Gaines Adams, Derrick Harvey, Connor Barwin, and Everette Brown. He also has experience standing up and has shown the improved ability to cover receivers and backs in the flat. So much for athletic shortcomings, huh?
5. ILB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
Meet Takeo Spikes' successor and Patrick Willis' new sidekick.
5. QB Mike Reilly, Central Washington
Right now, NFLDraftScout.com has Mike Reilly listed as a 6th rounder. Meanwhile, the Scott McCloughan thinks otherwise: "The 49ers rank players in three tiers, and they consider Reilly a second-tier player--which puts him in the late 3rd to 5th round category." Either way, the Niners will probably be looking to the mid to late rounds for another QB to sit behind Shaun Hill and Alex Smith. Reilly has been reported to meet with the 49ers and has been connected to them in other instances, as well. Of course, this could all be a smokescreen, but if not, this would be a solid pick to claim a QB of the future for a reasonable price. Reilly has all the tools and exceptional athleticism to be successful, but needs to prove that his talents can transfer to the pros. He will benefit from riding the bench for a couple years. Other QBs that are worth considering around this point of the draft are Nate Davis and Tom Brandstater. Stephen
6. LB Nick Reed, Oregon
"On the defensive side of the ball, we definitely need a pass rusher. You never have enough of those." This spot used to be reserved for Houston pass rusher Phillip Hunt. If he ends up having a good pro day, he might take this spot back. While I would still love Hunt to be selected at this spot, Nick Reed's versatility is very intriguing. Projected to play inside linebacker after playing defensive end in college, Reed is the all-time Ducks sack leader which was a product of his tenacious hustle on the field. He doesn't quite measure up, but he's a pure football player that will contribute one way or another.
7. NT Roy Miller, Texas
Before the light bulb went on for Aubrayo Franklin and the team started stopping the run, nose tackle was definitely the team's biggest need. While there are more pressing needs elsewhere, the departure of Ron Fields means that some depth at NT might be needed. If nothing else, Roy Miller can run on the practice squad until one our NTs goes down with an injury.
7. FB Travis McCall, Alabama
Yes, I know the team signed Moran Norris and there's no longer a glaring need for a FB. However, Travis McCall is not a typical FB. In fact, calling him a FB might even be a stretch. In Alabama, McCall was considered a blocking specialist who served as a 2nd TE on the line. With the departure of TE Billy Bajema, the 49ers are looking for another blocking TE to bolster their blocking on the line, which would also free up Vernon Davis from blocking duties.
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