More riveting content from the ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer.
Where was “this” going? Almost to the playoffs when we had the #1 pick two short years ago? Thanks for warning us that we’re trending up.
Love, the ASFN Advisor and Senior BS Regulator.
I didn’t pick the title, feel free to start a campaign to dump it.
As to the win improvement, it is good but it’s been accomplished against a weak schedule in a system that was designed to keep weak teams from losing fans. I recognize some teams have shown no improvement against such a schedule. I did think after week 1 this was a playoff team (considering the added a spot) and they almost were. However, it became obvious week to week that this team was playing below its potential. Why?
Certainly they were hurt by injuries, but so were other teams who didn’t get derailed. Coaching was the number one issue, in the form of poor player development (K1), poor play design (supposed to be a KK strength) and atrocious game management.
Murray has potential. I would concede he has not been given the best surrounding cast. That said, the Niners game showed that sooner or later sloppy fundamentals catch up with you. They caught up with Murray. I’ve said he is the best running QB I’ve seen. Is he a leader of men? I haven’t seen that. Does he exhibited better mechanics now than last year? Occasionally, but not consistently. I have also said he can be an outstanding QB, but only if he wants to correct his deficiencies. Yes he’ll likely throw for 4K yards, but he’s been erratic when the game is on the line, especially in the second half of this season.
As to poor play design, the NFL is a league of adjustments. You can ask several flash-in-the-pan coaches what happens when the league adjusts to your game if you don’t adapt. Of course you’ll have to contact them in college, which is where they are, some as coordinators. How can you not see the second half of this season collapsed because this coach did not or could not adjust? The Niners DC ate Kingsbury’s offense alive. They were ready for everything except Murray’s exceptional running. What was creative and new? What had KK put in for this game? A weak Cowboy team just hung 41 points on this defense.
Finally game management was horrible. Penalties we’d seen too many times before. Wasted timeouts. Only 10 players sent out initially on a kickoff return. I could go on but it’s pointless. This is not a winning coach exhibiting poise and control.
As to the wins improvement, do you know any coach who wouldn’t heavily target Hopkins? How many games of this “improvement” are due just to his addition. They certainly lose the Bills game without him. They lose the Eagles game. The first Niners game? How many others? Take those away and you’re right back to about last year. Give Keim the credit for those, not some well designed offense. How many of his key catches weren’t heavily contested? I’m not saying there wasn’t improvement, I’m saying you’re giving credit where it’s not been earned. Beyond Hopkins what other part of the offense was better; the other receivers? Was the running game better? You might have said Arnold (another Keim pickup) before he self-distrusted this game. Only Murray’s running improved and I believe no coach would have ignored Murray’s ability to run. What can you clearly say Kingsbury added? I say at best he gave with one hand and took away with the other. IMO those who want to champion his improvement are ignoring the team’s play in the second half. This team underperformed and the buck stops at Kingsbury’s desk. He didn’t significantly improve as a college coach. Why would he here? He has never been a winner and you don’t start that trend in the NFL.
