Get Caught Up On The ECRG Pod

Yes, I know it's been a busy off-season of trying to determine what EXACT DAY BROCK PURDY WILL BE HEALTHY, but please know the East Coast Red and Gold Podcast on IE Sports Radio is still airing live Wednesday nights 8p ET/5p PT, even in the offseason. Last night, world renowned 49ers Fan Mark Castanon, known on the social media circles as @49erMark, joined us to talk Niners, offseason, and the overall fan experience. Other interviews you may want to catch up on include Dwight Hicks and Randy Cross. 9ers Northeast has been to 28 games the last two seasons and looks to be at more this year with an east coast perspective throughout. 

How To Make the NFL Draft Interesting Even When Your Team Has No First Rounder

 

The long arduous NFL Off Season Journey reaches another important mile-marker, the NFL Draft in Kansas City. I am sure there will also be barbecue but if you're not there, that's up to you. 

Currently The Texans (2 and 12), EagLes (10 and 30), Lions (6 and 18), and Seahawks (5 and 20) all have multiple picks in the first round, the Cardinals sit in a spot at 3 where they may also be in a position to double up in the first round, depending on the reaction when Houston takes Will Levis at 2 (Or goes defense at 2 and takes someone to play QB at 12). The 49ers first round pick for this season was of course part of the Trey Lance deal in 2021, and barring some sort of deal for an existing player or dipping into next year's draft pick pool with a combo of this year's 11 picks. With that in mind, football dopamine is needed, so here's how to stay interested in the first round when your team has no first-rounder. 

 1. Pay attention to your team's division rivals. In this draft, we of course don't worry about the Rams in the first round (or in the regular season, for that matter). We do, however have to look at Arizona with pick 3 to start off with. Will they draft a defensive replacement for JJ Watt or get a pass protector for Next-Gen Webster Kyler Murray? If they get a pass protector at 3, it will be too high, but drafting a Jalen Carter or Will Anderson could spell trouble. Depending on QB-palooza 2023-version, the Cards could also trade their #3 overall pick for something, and if it turns into an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman, it shows Arizona is committed to building along the trenches, which to me spells bad news (provided they get the picks right). Seattle is the bellwether team. If they draft Carter at 5, who gives off major Warren Sapp vibes, then get their QB of the future at 20, that's gonna be a bad time. The Seahawks are a pain, last year's 3-sweep not withstanding, and smart drafting by them could short circuit this potential great and bountiful Niner Empire timeframe. If they draft a QB at 5, say Anthony Richardson, this would be good news since the QB will likely sit for a year or two and learn behind Geno Smith, meaning less of an immediate direct-to-face-impact of a Carter. Could the Rams be tempted to trade Matt Stafford or Cooper Kupp or Aaron Donald? Would anyone give up a first rounder for Stafford? Doubtful, but if there is one thing we know about the Rams, they like attention. 

2. You can bet on the draft (where it's legal of course). Just a couple of weeks ago Bryce Young was 3.5 to 1 to go #1 overall. He is now, in lieu of +350 (which is how 3.5 to 1 looks), at -5000. Look around. Examples: Anthony Richardson at 5 (4-1 odds or +400), Paris Johnson, Jr at 3 (4-1 odds or +400), Will Levis at 2 (7.5 to 1 or +750), CJ Stroud at 4 (3 to 1 or +300). 

 3. See what the Pseudo-Niners are doing.  The Jets (the Patriots are going to draft whoever the Jets really want just ahead of them, all due to the first round pick flip as part of the Rodgers trade. They may have a QB, but it is still the draft, and the Jets have a history. Brady, Kyle is probably the best example), the Texans, the Dolphins....all coached by former 49er coaches. They run similar systems, who do they decide to pick or not pick? They may all be trade partners later as well, so always good to keep an eye on what they might be doing. 

 If you missed last night's pre-draft episode with Steph Sanchez, please get caught up above.

1-on-1 with Matt Maiocco | Faithful1o1 Podcast

On the morning of the NFC Conference Championship 49ers Ty Alston sat down for an interview with long time 49ers sports reporter Matt Maiocco. Matt played a game of 49ers Twilight Zone, talked about his famous touchdown celebration after the Alex Smith run in the 2011 Saints divisional playoff game and hearing a thankful message from another 49ers fan.

ECRG POD: Week 8 (Post LA-Sweep, Recap PLUS Player Fan Discussion)

YODA Week 3 & the Preseason YODA MVP; 2022 Prediction

 Everything was bad Thursday night vs Houston (by design possibly), and this did not exclude the special teams. Although Mitch Wishnowsky had a busy and productive night to seal his preseason YODA MVP (2022), offensive field position and special teams penalties negated any momentum. 

Chicago the weekend after next, will the special teams be better this year or not?

1q 

12:45 Punt, 44 yards, 15 yd line SFP (+5)

7:33 XP Block (Fail, -1 point)

4:20 Punt (53 yards) 24 yd line SFP (-4)

2:43 Punt Return, holding, 12 yd line SFP (-8)

2q

9:29 Punt Return, illegal block, 8 yd line SFP (-12)

3:35 Punt (62 yards), 6 yard return, 28 yd line SFP (-8)

1:05 Punt Return, 0 yards, 37 yd line SFP (+17)

3q

11:27 XP Block (Fail, -1 point)

7:54 Punt (44 yards), touchback 20 yd line SFP (0)

2:02 FG Block (Fail, -3 Points)

4th

12:59 FG Block (Success, miss, +3 points)

12:29 Punt (46 yards), 10 yd return, 36 yd line SFP (-16)

10:21 Punt Return (0 yards, 15 yard penalty accepted), 29 yd line SFP (+9)

4:35 Punt Return (0 yards), 12 yd line SFP (-8)

Totals-

Snaps - 14

YODA: (-25)

Points Scored: 0

Points Allowed: 5

Points Denied: 3 (FG Miss)

Point differential (Scored + Denied - Allowed = -2) 

Punt Yards: 246 (49.2 Average, 62 yard long)

FG: None

XP: None

Preseason YODA Totals:

Net points: +12

YODA: +109 (even with terrible Game 3)

Takeaways: Field position has been ok, and this number could actually be lower if not for Wishnowsky's effort in game 3. Has the special teams productivity/process been improved with the new special teams coach or is it something else? 

2022 Prediction

I do not know what to make of this team. The roster is amazing, outside of some major question marks on the offensive line and a second year FCS quarterback at starter, which, no matter how you slice it, is a question mark. Will they make good on the Super Bowl dreams? Will it be another even number season from hell?

I see 4-4 at the bye, then 6-3, 7-2 down the stretch. 10-7, 11-6 could very well win this division, and success in the division, particularly against College Kliff and Kyler, along with Uncle Pete and whatever QB he shows up with. I don't think they fall back enough to be out of the playoffs, but can they go further than last year and/or win the Super Bowl? I want to hope so, but I don't like the vibe. With that said:

11-6

Win the division, lose in divisional round (while hoping they prove me wrong).  (Official 2022 Prediction, 8/29/2022)

YODA Preseason Week 2; Turf Trepidation

 Improvement in the field position game, but mainly because of Minnesota’s poor special teams play. Still, +98 yards and 8 net points is still positive for a unit building off the opus of last January’s Lambeau Anomaly. Off to the numbers.

SF Special Teams 2022 Game 2 (PS) vs Minnesota

1q: KO defense, Touchback (0)

1q: Punt return, 43 yard line SFP (+23)

1q: Punt, 56 yards, 13 yard line SFP  (+7)

1q: Punt return, 1 yard, 41 yard line SFP (+21)

2q: Punt return, no return, 20 yard line SFP (0)

2q: Field Goal, 49 yards, success (3 points)

2q: Kickoff, Touchback (0)

2q: Punt Return, no return, 11yd line SFP (-9)

2q: Punt, 14 yard return allowed, 40 yd line SFP (-20)

2q: XP block, fail (-1 point)

2q: KO Return, no return, 25 yard line SFP (0)

2q: FG, 46 yards, success (+3 points)

3q: PR, 9 yards, 21 yard line SFP (+1)

4q: KO, 15 yards, 15 yard line SFP (+10)

4q: PR, no return, 28 yard line SFP (+8)

4q: Punt, 1 yard return, 1 yard line SFP (+19)

4q: PR, 13 yard line, Min 37 yard line SFP (+43)

4q: FG, 28 yards, success (+3 points)

4q: KO, Touchback, offsides, 30 yard line SFP (-5)

Total ST Snaps: 23

Total points scored\negated swing: +9

Total Points Allowed: 1

Net Special Team Points: +8 

Total Yards Over Default: +98

Preseason total: 

Net points- +14

Total Yards Over Default- +134

The Saberhagen Philosophy

An old philosophy where even numbered years were cursed. 

Former Major Leaguer Bret Saberhagen went 20-6 in 1985, 18-10 in 87, 23-6 in 89, (he finally got out of this rut in 1994, but as a consequence the entire season was cancelled and the Montreal Expos were sacrificed to the Gods). Combined record for 84, 86, 88, 90, 1992: 39-53. 

Hence, the Saberhagen philosophy. 

Since Kyle joined the 9ers in 2017-

2017: 6-10 (started 0-9)

2018: 4-12

2019: 13-3, NFC Title

2020: 6-10

2021: 10-7, NFC Championship appearance

Even numbered years: 10-22

Odd numbered years: 29-20 (not including playoffs, 33-22 including playoffs)

Ending the preseason in Houston ( Google “NFL Injuries at Houston”) and starting in Chicago (Google “Soldier Field sod”) does not leave me with any sort of warm or fuzzy feeling.

Preseason Game 1: What the hell is YODA?

Preseason week one was exactly what you’d expect: some big plays (RayRay McCloud, Trey Lance to Danny Gray 76 yards later) some not so great plays (Tarvarius Moore’s coverage on Romeo Doubs, Trey Lance overshooting Gray on the sidelines, JaMychal Hasty’s unfortunate sideline kickoff return shenanigan). We here at Niners Northeast will leave the big time film study to the real content creators, but here is last night’s special teams stats, using the debut of something that shall eventually be known as “YODA”.

“What the hell is YODA?”

YODA = Yards Over Default Average (Punt Line of Default is 20 yard line, kickoffs 25)

Default Average is what your starting field position is if you do absolutely nothing. Literally if every punt and or kick was a touchback, that’s where you would start each drive. While we do track plays and yardage, the key is the amount of + or - above/below the Default. (Also points, as tracked below)

PSNS = Points Scored/Negated Swing (Includes Blocks/returns/misses for_against. Example: FG block or miss vs you is +3, block return TD +6, for a total of 9. If that happens against your team, -9)

TPA = Total Points Allowed (Self-explanatory) 

FP = Field Position (Honestly, who throws a shoe? That really hurt!)

With all that being explained…

Special Teams Snaps Tracking: Game 1

1q KO Defense: Touchback (+0)

1q Punt Return:  starting FP 41 yard line (+21)

1q FG Kick: 50 yards success (+3)

1q XP Block Team: fail (-1)

1q KO Return: starting FP 23 yard line (-2) 

1q XP Kick: Success (+1)

1q KO Defense: starting FP SF 47 yard line (-28)

2q XP Kick: Success (+1)

2q Punt Def: 35 yard punt, starting FP 20 (0)

2q KO Return: starting FP 6 yard line (Hasty’s sideline adventure) (-19)

3q KO Return: 28 yards, starting FP 37 (+12)

3q Punt Def: 48 yard punt, starting FP 9 (+11)

3q FG defense: kick missed (+3) starting FP 22 (+2)

3q Punt Defense: 30 yard punt , starting FP 17 (+3)

3q Punt return: 7 yard return, starting FP 39 (+19)

3q Punt defense: 54 yard punt, 7 yard return allowed, starting FP 33 (-13)

4q XP Block Team: fail (-1)

4q KO Return: 15 yard return, starting FP 31 (+6) 

4q KO Defense: 19 yard return allowed, starting FP 20 (-5)

Total Spec Teams Snaps: 19

Total points scored\negated swing: 8

Total Points Allowed: 2

Net Special Team Points: +6

Total Yards Over Default Average: +7

Final Result: Special Teams had a lightly positive impact on this game

Accounted for 6 points and plus 7 yards. Incremental start for the new-look special teams.

Back w/ more after Game 2 vs the Vikings. (#SKOL, which should stand for Skoal but I am sure they can’t sponsor it)