So glad that Pitt passed on Jim Tomsula...

[YourPittDanceTeam]

when they were looking for potential head coaches during the last head coach search.
I know he's a "local guy", but man is he bad as a head coach.
He has turned one of the most athletically gifted QB's (Colin Kaepernick) in the NFL into a stiff. The pressure on Kaepernick to change his style of play to accommodate Tomsula and his staff is quite painful to watch. The 49ers have gone from one of the NFL's most talented franchises into the west coach's version of the NY Jets.
Tomsula needs to change his offensive philosophy or he will be gone by the end of the year.

 

[SteelCityChamps]

The Geep Chryst effect.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

He could be maybe a Larry Johnson type in cfb.
But wow he looks like he's in over his head there.

 

[pitt-girl]

It's a shame too because he truly is a very good guy, as were his parents.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

I'd suggest the gm dismantling the 49ers has more to do with kaepernick falling back to earth.
Like Andrew luck did as well.

Hard to be good under siege and little playmaker help.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I did not want Pitt to hire Jim Tomsula and I think we got the better guy. Also, Tomsula's public demeanor is very odd and somewhat troubling. I do not think he is NFL head coaching material and a bad hire by the 49ers.

That said, you are making a mistake that so many people make and that is you are looking at this completely backwards.

Kaepernick's failure to develop is primarily on Kaepernick, not Tomsula.

As with all of these primarily athletic quarterbacks, eventually these bright and passionate defensive coordinators figure out how to stop them. Really, they become easier to defend than guys that can throw the football because you don't have to defend nearly as much football field.

You can only run so many read options before people start to stack the box.

What has happened to San Francisco is Kaepernick has failed to develop as a passer. He makes poor decisions, cannot read defenses to save his life and he flat out refuses to set his feet. No NFL QB throws the ball off his back foot more frequently than Colin Kaepernick. That is all evidence of a guy who's not listening to coaching. That means that his he is either a.) an arrogant goofball Who has convinced himself that he has all the answers; or b.) a stupid human being incapable of growth. Either way, that is not the guy you want leading your professional football team.

Also, they are significantly less talented now than they were when they went to the Super Bowl. They've lost several very good players all over their defense and on the other side of the football as well.

That would have a severe impact on any team. And when you combine that with the fact that their quarterback cannot throw the football accurately down the field or read defenses of any kind, they become a bad football team. That is what has happened to the San Francisco 49ers. Blaming Tomsula for all of that is unfair to the Munhall native.

Kaepernick is done in San Francisco. I would not be surprised if the Eagles made a run at him for next year. Their quarterback situation is also a complete mess and Kaepernick is at the very least extremely athletic. However, if I'm being honest, I don't think that's going to work either.

 

[Pghfan]

far from an expert on QB development but imagine two years ago, or even a year ago, if I told you kaepernick and Luck would be two awful QBs, you'd call me nuts.. What the hell happened to Luck btw.. I watched some of the game last night, I needed Newton to score 1200 points for me to win fantasy, and watching Luck was absolutely painful.. Dude could thread a needle 30 yards away, now he makes mind boggling decisions..

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Yeah, but Luck is going to play his way out of it.

There is no comparison between Luck and Kaepernick. Luck is a bona fide NFL superstar quarterback. Kaepernick is a guy that benefited from playing in a "college" system that most teams were not regularly seeing at the time and had no idea how to defend. The slightly less mediocre Russell Wilson is beginning to face the same reality.

Personally, I think Luck is a really good player who is playing poorly. I just don't think Kaepernick is a good player.

I also believe that Luck is injured and really pressing.

Indianapolis has nothing but Luck. I'm looking at Indianapolis' roster and it is full of has-beens and never-weres.

Seriously, from where I sit, they are Andrew Luck and basically nothing else.

Andre Johnson is done. Frank Gore is done. Ahmad Bradshaw has been done. TY Hilton is a solid No. 2 receiver and a good special-teams guy but that's it.

Their defense starts two rookies from Stanford and a bunch of guys who were really good in 2008.

The old axiom is that you never want to be old at running back or young along your defensive line. Indianapolis is both. I'm not sure if that drunk Irsay is making these decisions or what? However, if the GM has been the guy making these decisions, the Indianapolis Colts need a new GM. Now, they may need a new coach too but they definitely need a new GM.

They simply don't have any talent.

 

[Pitt79]

Kaepernick's failure to develop is primarily on Kaepernick, not Tomsula.

Kaepernick is Kordell Stewart. He burst onto the scene unexpectedly, caught everybody by surprise, dominated for a short time, was a flash in the pan, and not because they are good QBs, but great athletes that can pass the ball adequately... then they figured out how to stop him, and he himself never developed further to adapt to that, yup, the Kordell Syndrome=Kaepernick.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I think the Kordell comparison is a very good one. I think Kaepernick is a better player than Stewart. However, he has some of the same problems that Stewart had here and elsewhere after he left.

It's difficult to develop as a player whenever you are so weak in your fundamentals.

What is absolutely NOT the case, and which drives me completely batty when people suggest otherwise, is some sort of fear of change by NFL decision-makers.

That is fantasyland nonsense.

All they care about is winning. They do not care how. Those guys are obsessed with winning in the professional livelihood depends on it. I don't care if you are black, white, Eskimo, Puerto Rican, or from Timbuctu.

They don't care if you are a pocket passer or a runner or a combination of the two.

They just care about winning and they're going to play the guy that they think gives them the best chance to keep their jobs.

Kaepernick's struggles have nothing to do with the NFL's aversion to risk and everything to do with his unwillingness and/or inability to grow as a football player. It is a shame too because he is extremely athletic and he possesses a very strong and powerful right arm. If he could ever figure out things, he could become a devastating offensive weapon. However, none of that matters if you can't handle the basics like reading defenses and setting your feet before you release the football.

 

[Pitt79]

And let me add, Kordell and Colin both where surrounded by top notch teams when they had big seasons, 49ers went to the Super Bowl, Steelers went to the AFC Championship twice, if either had ended up on the Lions or Browns, nobody would remember their names after 2 years.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

That's probably true too.

 

[Consultant Panther]

I heard an interview with Tomsula, I think on ESPN radio, right after he was hired. He didn't sound impressive at all! He didn't answer any of even the simplest questions and was incredibly inarticulate. He also seemed angry for some reason. It was bizarre, like there was something wrong with him.

 

[pittdan77]

I think Tomsula is one of those guys that's been around long enough, he just worked his way into a shot at a top job.

That said, San Fran is a train wreck. There aren't many weapons at all on offense and most of the talent on defense jumped ship. Kap would be better off getting traded someplace where they have some young talent and I think he'll be okay.

Heck, Cleveland is always looking for the next QB.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Yeah, but Luck is going to play his way out of it.

There is no comparison between Luck and Kaepernick. Luck is a bona fide NFL superstar quarterback. Kaepernick is a guy that benefited from playing in a "college" system that most teams were not regularly seeing at the time and had no idea how to defend. The slightly less mediocre Russell Wilson is beginning to face the same reality.

Personally, I think Luck is a really good player who is playing poorly. I just don't think Kaepernick is a good player.

I also believe that Luck is injured and really pressing.

Indianapolis has nothing but Luck. I'm looking at Indianapolis' roster and it is full of has-beens and never-weres.

Seriously, from where I sit, they are Andrew Luck and basically nothing else.

Andre Johnson is done. Frank Gore is done. Ahmad Bradshaw has been done. TY Hilton is a solid No. 2 receiver and a good special-teams guy but that's it.

Their defense starts two rookies from Stanford and a bunch of guys who were really good in 2008.

The old axiom is that you never want to be old at running back or young along your defensive line. Indianapolis is both. I'm not sure if that drunk Irsay is making these decisions or what? However, if the GM has been the guy making these decisions, the Indianapolis Colts need a new GM. Now, they may need a new coach too but they definitely need a new GM.

They simply don't have any talent.

But that's true of kaepernick'a roster too.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

I'd suggest the gm dismantling the 49ers has more to do with kaepernick falling back to earth.
Like Andrew luck did as well.

Hard to be good under siege and little playmaker help.

Luck surprised me, thought he was the real deal. But he looked terrible last night, and almost threw an interception on the last play before overtime.

 

[Consultant Panther]

Luck surprised me, thought he was the real deal. But he looked terrible last night, and almost threw an interception on the last play before overtime.

I think he is the real deal, but he's playing injured.

 

[Pittx9]

Kapernick is a very physically gifted QB. However, he is not that great of a QB and I'm not surprised by his struggles.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

But that's true of kaepernick'a roster too.

That's true too.

I just think Luck is a much better bet to repeat his 40 TD performance of a season ago than Kaepernick is to suddenly develop as a passer.

His performance thus far this season notwithstanding, I think Luck is head and shoulders the best "young" quarterback in football. I don't even think it's close, to be honest with you. Still, to maintain that mantle he needs to play better than he has so far this season.

 

[Pittx9]

That's true too.

I just think Luck is a much better bet to repeat his 40 TD performance of a season ago than Kaepernick is to suddenly develop as a passer.

His performance thus far this season notwithstanding, I think Luck is head and shoulders the best "young" quarterback in football. I don't even think it's close, to be honest with you. Still, to maintain that mantle he needs to play better than he has so far this season.

Agree, but I don't understand why people give Russell Wilson almost no credit. Ok, throw RGIII out the window, he's no good. But I don't think Luck is just far and away better than Wilson.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Oh, I think Luck is a much better than Wilson. I think Wilson is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in the NFL.

It's weird too because it's not like I think Wilson is a bad quarterback or anything like that. He's obviously a bright kid and a character kid. He has a strong arm and he is extremely athletic and can extend plays when the need arises. Wilson is far better than his NFC West counterpart, Kaepernick.

It's just that he is not the focal point of his team or even his offense. Luck IS the Indianapolis Colts. There are about 10 guys on the Seahawks who are better players than Wilson. Wilson is just not an accurate passer and struggles mightily in the intermediate passing game – largely due to his size. That is why you see so many controlled rollouts with the guy.

I think the top-tier of quarterbacks over the last several years has included Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers. Those are guys who are so consistently good that you just accept that you're going to be playing at a quarterback deficit for most of that game. Your entire defensive game plan must be designed to slow down those prolific passers. Much easier said than done.

The second level of quarterbacks have been comprised of Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Joe Flacco, Tony Romo, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Matt Ryan, etc. Those guys are not as consistent as the guys in the top-tier but they are still outstanding franchise caliber quarterbacks.

The third tier of NFL quarterbacks are guys who can win but who generally won't beat you by themselves. They are good players but the rest of their team must play very well for them to win. I put guys like Andy Dalton, Ryan Tannehill, Teddy Bridgewater, etc. in that group.

Anyone below that third tier is not worth discussing, IMO.

Speaking only for myself, I would put Luck in that second tier with a chance to eventually graduate to the top-tier. Conversely, I would put Wilson in the third tier with very little upside. I would've put Kaepernick in the third tier 2-3 years ago, but not now.

 

[Pittx9]

We have vastly different tiers of quarterbacks then. I'm not gonna bring it up, we could go on days dissecting it all. Not in an argument, I still respect your list. It just would go on for days lol.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

BTW, I have long felt the Kaepernick was overrated just like Wilson is overrated. However, the most overrated quarterback in the NFL has long been Matthew Stafford. That guy stinks out loud and people are just now catching on to that fact.

 

[Pittx9]

However, the most overrated quarterback in the NFL has long been Matthew Stafford. That guy stinks out loud and people are just now catching on to that fact.

Not even debatable. I'd barely call Stafford mediocre.

 

[ameoba defense]

Luck is the victim of too much hype. He can make great plays, but he's too inconsistent at this point. People were anointing him a top 5 qb, putting him over Big Ben. At this point, he's not better than Tony Romo, and I'm not sure I wouldn't take Joe Flacco over him. The potential is there, but he has a ways to go. He could end up like Brett Favre, a guy who makes a ton of spectacular plays, but then does things that would embarrass Johnny Football.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Somewhat ironically, the most underrated quarterback is probably Tony Romo.

That guy is a hell of a player but because he was HIGHLY overrated to start, and because he plays for the ultra obnoxious Dallas Cowboys, people have been somewhat slow to give him his due, IMO.

I really think he has improved greatly in recent years and is now an outstanding quarterback and I think he carries the Cowboys' offense on his back for large stretches of games.

He has faltered in some big spots so I get that criticism. However, I would argue that the reason he has faltered is because he has been asked to do too much.

I don't necessarily root for Romo because I cannot stand the Cowboys. However, I definitely think he is an excellent player and probably a little better than most people give him credit for being.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Somewhat ironically, the most underrated quarterback is probably Tony Romo.

That guy is a hell of a player but because he was HIGHLY overrated to start, and because he plays for the ultra obnoxious Dallas Cowboys, people have been somewhat slow to give him his due, IMO.

I really think he has improved greatly in recent years and is now an outstanding quarterback and I think he carries the Cowboys' offense on his back for large stretches of games.

He has faltered in some big spots so I get that criticism. However, I would argue that the reason he has faltered is because he has been asked to do too much.

I don't necessarily root for Romo because I cannot stand the Cowboys. However, I definitely think he is an excellent player and probably a little better than most people give him credit for being.

Tony Romo is a white Russell Wilson, honestly.

Except MORE prone to folding like a chair in the 4th quarter or end of season.

 

[Pittx9]

Tony Romo is a white Russell Wilson, honestly.

Except MORE prone to folding like a chair in the 4th quarter or end of season.

Everyone is free to their own opinion so I'm not here to argue, just add my input. I don't think Tony Romo is anywhere near as good as Russell Wilson. Romo is not bad, but he's incredibly overrated when they start talking about him being in the same class as some of the top dogs.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Everyone is free to their own opinion so I'm not here to argue, just add my input. I don't think Tony Romo is anywhere near as good as Russell Wilson. Romo is not bad, but he's incredibly overrated when they start talking about him being in the same class as some of the top dogs.

I agree, and think Russell Wilson is very under-rated. The guy is just a winner and makes winning plays.
Frankly, Seattle's struggles this year are a matter of the defense failing to close out in the fourth quarter.

 

[Pittx9]

I agree, and think Russell Wilson is very under-rated. The guy is just a winner and makes winning plays.
Frankly, Seattle's struggles this year are a matter of the defense failing to close out in the fourth quarter.

Absolutely. I can't understand why Wilson doesn't get as much credit as he deserves. So many times you see QB's be punished because they have a good team around them. One of the dumbest arguments anyone can make. I don't care if you have a team of all all-pros, for the most part you need a QB that is at least smart if he's not a superstar type.