AsylumGuido

Now someone please tell me that playing a meaningful game in week 18 isn't more exciting than watching Sean Payton draft a player a few picks higher that jeanpierre would explain could have been selected two rounds later.

saintfan

You're the only ******* here who would try to dredge up that tired debate in a thread about the Rams/Niners game.

You really cant help it. Truly sad.

AsylumGuido

Will Garoppolo be able to play?

Maiocco: Jimmy G-Lance decision for Week 18 has no easy answer

There is no guarantee Jimmy Garoppolo will be able to successfully perform the most basic of quarterback requirements at the most critical stage of the season.

The 49ers need him to grip a football firmly and throw it accurately.

The 49ers must prepare this week for a virtual win-or-go-home game against the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams.

If the 49ers win, they advance to the playoffs. Even if the 49ers lose, they can still make the playoffs but only if the Atlanta Falcons upset the New Orleans Saints.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo will start if he is healthy enough to function.

But if Garoppolo is unable to function with a torn ligament on his right thumb, Shanahan will again turn to rookie Trey Lance.

The options for the 49ers are: 1). A quarterback who is less than 100 percent physically; or, 2). A quarterback who is currently at less than 100 percent with the team’s offensive system.

Tight end George Kittle pointed out in the aftermath of the 49ers’ 23-7 victory over the Houston Texans that the 49ers went into the game with an altered game plan tailored for Lance.

“It (was) a little more basic than usual,” Kittle said.

Shanahan is well-regarded for the details of his offense, which incorporates a variety of shifts, motions, pre-snap and post-snap adjustments based on the play call and the defense.

The 49ers’ approach with Lance was, basically, call a play in the huddle and run it regardless of the defense’s alignment or coverage.

If there is any question about Garoppolo’s ability to play, the question becomes whether the 49ers want to make sacrifices with their quarterback not being 100 percent healthy or not being at 100 percent with the scheme.

That is a decision that will be made solely with the final week of the regular season in mind.

But the decision to trade two future first-round draft picks, as well as a third-rounder, to move up to No. 3 for Lance was all about future seasons.

Lance’s performance in Week 17, perhaps, demonstrated that he has been improving behind the scenes as Garoppolo’s replacement. Lance looked more comfortable and more like an NFL quarterback Sunday than he did in a disjointed Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

On Sunday, Lance completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 249 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 116.0. He did not rely as much on his running, either, as he carried the ball only eight times for 31 yards.

He was far from perfect, of course, but Lance showed plenty of the skills that inspired Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to make the bold move they trust will benefit the 49ers for many years in the future.

Shanahan approached this season on two tracks. He wanted to maximize this season with the quarterback who gave the team the best chance of winning in 2021. And he wanted to groom Lance and build his confidence to place him in the most advantageous position for when he takes over as the starter in 2022.

Playing quarterback in the NFL as a rookie is not easy. The top two picks in the draft, Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson, have struggled mightily. Are they better set up for future success? That is debatable. They certainly were not ready to take over at the start of their seasons, but Jacksonville and the New York Jets did not have any other options.

With Garoppolo, the 49ers had another option. By and large, Garoppolo has played well. Lance seems to have used his time as the backup wisely. It showed when he made his first start at Levi's Stadium.

Lance experienced success against the Texans and kept the 49ers alive in the NFC playoff picture. That, in itself, should give him a boost of confidence heading into the offseason.

And if he is called upon again in Week 18 against the Rams, Lance’s learning and growing will continue. He would benefit in the future — regardless of the outcome.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

Rugby Saint II

Sure thing Guido. I want to pick ahead of Atlanta so they have to burn draft picks to move up to take our players. I'm fine with splitting a game with them since our season is basically over. If we win then then we are one and done in the post season. This season is over! It has been since we started losing players like soldiers storming Normandy. Restock with higher draft picks and start fresh next year.

Let me make one thing straight, I don't want to lose but there is a bright side to a higher draft pick. We have had some pretty crappy options this year but this is a win/win whether we win or lose. You better believe that Payton wants to win this game. But the odds are against us. However, the silver lining is a higher draft pick if we lose to Atlanta. I'm simply being a realist.

Edit: jp is correct that several of our recent picks were considerable reaches.

AsylumGuido

I am not so ready to concede defeat when we reach the playoffs. Nor will any of our players or coaches. With our defense we can beat any team we face in a given game.

Rugby Saint II

What is that gives you such confidence that we can win with this depleted team? Is it our dynamic receivers? Our stellar offensive line play? Our sure handed TE's that get separation? Is it our 4th or 5th backup kicker? It must be the confidence in Taysom and the hope that all of a sudden we'll get healthy.

I like you and what you have to say unlike a few other posters. But at some point counting down the schedule prediction from 17-0 each week to 9-8 doesn't keep me feeling all rosy inside. I get it. You're an optimist. I'm normally a pessimistic optimist who is currently just a realist.

AsylumGuido

Yes, the team had been depleted for much of the season, but we are becoming more whole than at any point to date. While our receivers may not be dynamic, few teams do have a bunch of dynamic receivers. However, Callaway and Harris are more than capable, and the others are actually NFL receivers, believe it or not. I have been at the games. We have receivers wide open on virtually every play. The problem is between Siemian, Book, and an O-Line missing FOUR starters we haven't been able to get them the ball. We now have Hill at QB and he's looking far better than the others and we may be getting back both Armstead and Ramczyk by the first round of the playoffs.

As for TE's, Trautman was really coming on when he got injured and was leading the team (WR's, TE's, and RB's) in separation according to the monitors that all players wear in their uniforms these days. Our 4th or 5th kicker is proving to be one of the most accurate kickers down the stretch.

The point is we ARE suddenly beginning to get healthier. The COVID is behind us for pretty much all key players. The defense is looking like the best in the league.

We can realistically win games with who we have. Will it be easy? Of course not, but it is absolutely possible. That is, it is possible if, and only if, our own players believe they can and I believe they believe they can.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

jnormand

With all due respect to your post....our 5th string backup kicker has been solid. Lol

AsylumGuido

K?