Shanahan accepts blame for T.B. loss
SANTA CLARA >> A year ago, the 49ers were 1-10. Now, they’re 2-9. Progress!
If that’s not enough to soothe 49ers fans, here is a Tuesday morning mailbag:
Don’t you think that coming off a bye, playing against one of the worst Ds in recent memory, the 49ers should have been much better prepared? I know the talent is not there (GM!?), but why is nobody questioning the coaching aside from Saleh (it seems)? — @Nik_8686
Very valid points. Kyle Shanahan heaped blamed on himself — and all 49ers — for that 27-9 trash in Tampa. Shanahan strikes me as very loyal to his staff, but it will be interesting to what other teams’ assistants become available in January. As for last weekend, as bad as cross-country games typically go, this coaching crisis was compounded by Marquise Goodwin’s abrupt leave for personal issues and then Reuben Foster’s implosion.
Robert Saleh should or shouldn’t be defensive coordinator next year? — @Jeremy_cheatham
The Niners’ defense is a persistent problem, and even though the run defense is improved from a couple years ago, the pass Dante Pettis played 91percent of the 49ers’ offensive snaps Sunday.
rush and pass coverage are no match for today’s pass-oriented offenses. Shanahan, who’s been quite open amid turmoil, hasn’t chastised Saleh. If a better option surfaces on the coach market, that could lead to change.
If Dante Pettis was one of the best return men in NCAA, EVER, why isn’t he being used in the same position?? — @chrisdias79
Same question crossed my mind last game. Educated guess: Pettis played 91 percent of the offensive snaps starting in place of Marquise Goodwin and the 49ers wanted him focused there (result: 4 catches, 77 yards, touchdown). He hasn’t looked comfortable on punt returns, but Richie James hasn’t been an upgrade.
Might the organization embrace an ‘outside-the-box’ salve to the front office’s drafting woes by investing a larger cadre of nationwide scouts beyond the 10 they currently employ? — @chunkierthanyou
Might you be suggesting they hire a dogged reporter who can find the X-factor in players by scouting their backgrounds on and off the field and on and off social media?
Elijah Lee played more snaps than Malcolm Smith, Alfred Morris was a healthy scratch, Julian Taylor was active for the first time. Did they decide over the bye to switch from win mode to analyze for the future mode? — @gamerollerb
Well, “win mode” isn’t working out so well (see: 2-9 record). They indeed need to use these final weeks to evaluate all players. Linebacker Malcolm Smith took a seat once his Achilles flared up, and Morris hadn’t been running well. So, yes, bring on the regular-season tryouts.
Do the Yorks have to face facts
— to getting dropped by a partner of AT&T’s stature — as to the real-world impact.
The Pac-12 Networks are in approximately 20 million homes nationwide, with Comcast, Cox and DISH collectively occupying a significant share of the subscribers.
Our best guess is that approximately 400,000 to 500,000 subs watch the Pac-12 Networks on Uverse.
If we estimate a price point of approximately 85 cents per subscriber per month, that equates
with Lynch’s player evaluations and replace him? — @wgclements
Let’s clear up this misperception: John Lynch is not your typical, I-make-the-call general manager. Now, he doesn’t necessarily work at the pleasure of Kyle Shanahan, but they work in harmony on every pick and every move. Shanahan can have veto moves. Lynch lends a complementary voice with seasoned eyes and serious work ethic. He also relies on personnel help from respected advisors (Adam Peters, Martin Mayhew, Keena Turner) and the scouts.
Ward done as a niner? Goodwin update? — @spencer_martin
Jimmie Ward is done for 2018 with a forearm fracture, and despite his injury history, the 49ers should at least keep open the door for a return, albeit on a shortterm, affordable deal. No update on Marquise Goodwin’s unspecified personal matter, as of now.
Why did the 49ers look like a CFL team against Tampa Bay? — @JamieBeldin
Hey, come on, CFL teams score more than nine points. Did you know 49ers long snapper Kyle Nelson’s dad, Mark, is a long-time CFL assistant, and he was the Ottawa Redblacks linebackers coach Sunday when they lost in the Grey Cup to Jeff Garcia’s old Calgary Stampeders?
to roughly $5 million per year, or about $400,000 per school per year.
That’s 1.5 percent of the annual distribution paid by the conference to each campus (approximately $30 million per school).
(Please note: The other facets of the deal, such as wireless rights, make the net dollars involved difficult to assess. The Hotline’s estimate is extremely rough.)
Key point: As Budill mentioned in her statement, networks leadership knew this outcome was a distinct possibility.
It stands to reason Shuken and Budill were conservative with financial projections for fiscal year 2019 and factored the potential loss of distribution into the networks’ budget in advance.
In other words, I’d be surprised if we see a round of Pac-12 Network layoffs or an unexpected drop in the revenue projections to the campuses. What’s next for the networks? The Hotline is not aware of a looming distribution deal to offset the loss of U-verse. What next for U-verse subscribers scrambling for access to the Pac-12 Networks?
Here’s where this column morphs into a PSA.
• Obviously, Comcast, Charter, Cox and DISH are options, depending on your location and needs.
• There are two streaming deals in place, as well: Sling and fuboTV.
(Sling is more for general entertainment, fubo for sports. Both are month-to-month subscriptions.)
• I’d urge fans to visit getpac12networks.com, which has a FAQ page and channel finder.