By Chris Graham
Jim Harbaugh will in all likelihood be coaching his final game as the head coach of the 49ers on Sunday. He wasn’t all the problem, but more so a part of the problematic puzzle the organization has at the moment. The 49ers have a GM in Trent Baalke who is a hard headed, competitive guy, and seems to refuse to work with someone who is the same way (Jim Harbaugh).
The offense stunk it up so bad this year and they had more weapons in the wide receiver position than in year’s past with Stevie Johnson being added to the Boldin and Crabtree mix. Let’s be honest, Crabtree hasn’t really been that impressive in a San Francisco uniform anyway. (Maybe that’s just because 49er fans have the Jerry Rice expectations). Something else that has yet to be explained is where was Vernon Davis? On the field, sure but not making anything happen. Who’s at fault for that? No one will ever really know.
Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman has no excuse. Most of his offense was intact for most of the season. He was a huge part of the problem with his highly questionable game plans and play calling. Which in turn, brings Jim back into the picture by continuing to defend him when it was clear that Roman was doing a subpar job in his position. I mean even Roman said earlier this year that “I can do a better job.” Talk is cheap Roman, talk is cheap.
To give Roman a sliver of defense, his offensive line was mediocre at best this year in protection.
This brings me to my next point: Kaepernick. Colin is not, and never will be a pocket passer. Roman, Harbaugh, and hell even Kaepernick may have been trying to make him into a pocket passer. You have to stick with what you drafted. Colin is a scrambling QB. His legs are his greatest asset. As everyone saw this season he is not the most accurate passer. Colin is not the problem, even though at times this season I was saying he was. I let cooler heads prevail, and came to see this failed season was much more than his play. Just look at the San Diego game. When you let Colin run, the offense instantly becomes more dynamic.
Frank Gore: Greg Roman must have forgotten he had one of the best running backs in NFL history at his disposal. Frank has touched the ball less this year. This guy can get you 4-5 yards easy most of the time he touches the ball and yet Roman continued to let him instead stand there while Colin threw the ball. Gore was adamant about how he wanted the ball more this year so you can’t blame injury on it. Where Gore was most noticeably absent was inside the red zone. I would think you would want to go with your staple. Gore has only had 4 rushing TD’s this year. The last three seasons he had 9, 8, and 8 respectively.
Overall, I think Greg Roman got away from himself this year. He tried to change too many things up this season when really nothing was terribly broken. Maybe Roman should have gone to Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio for advice. Somehow, Fangio was able to keep a top 5 defense out of mostly 2nd and 3rd stringers the majority of the season. Amazing.
Is getting rid of Jim Harbaugh the answer? Yes and No. No because he is a winning coach that has taken San Fran to 3 consecutive NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl (Yes, this season that all ends but every team has down years). The 49ers aren’t going to find that on the street corner.
Yes, because Jim is stuck in his ways. He stands by his man maybe too long when he really needs to take a step back and say: “Well, maybe I need to start looking for someone else who can get this thing back on track.”
Who knows, maybe the 49ers need an overhaul in the coaching department because maybe it has worn thin in the locker room and obviously in the front office.
