Readers provide ideas to help turn this 1-4 season around
SANTA CLARA >> It’s become a fall tradition: 49ers lose, 49ers fans vent in our weekly mailbag. Let’s get on with it then, via our Twitter suggestion box:
Do the Niners stay with C.J. or go in another direction? No, I don’t want Kap back he’s trash. — @winwith49ers
It’s C.J. Beathard or bust, and bust is picking up steam. Beathard’s mixed results aren’t jeopardizing his job, yet.
More turnovers and more losses will. But the 49ers invested a third-round draft pick on him, and through essentially eight games, Beathard still has Kyle Shanahan’s unwavering support.
So, what about Nick Mullens . ... — @pab_lowe
When Mullens sparkled in the exhibition season, I reached out to another former Southern Miss QB. Brett Fa-
vre’s response: “Great kid, extremely bright and a winner!!! He will succeed.” Makes you curious, right? Mullens has never taken a regular-season snap (he came darn close in the Week 4 loss to the Chargers) and won scoutteam honors last week.
Shouldn’t the 49ers be shopping Richard Sherman to a real team? — @beardownda
Honestly, that’s an intriguing question. His health has been touch-andgo, but he just played every snap after missing a game to a left-calf strain. He’s clearly the 49ers’ best defensive back and a valued leader. He hasn’t worn out his welcome since his Seattle defection. He’s allowed only one catch in only eight targets. He deserves a shot at another ring, and it’s not coming on the 2018 Niners. That said, he’s worth keeping for the 2019 Niners revival unless he prefers out.
Is there any news on adding potential WR to maybe “spark” the offense a bit ... ex. Rishard Matthews? — @EVillegas1583
The current plan is to deploy young, in-house options such as Kendrick Bourne, Victor Bolden and Richie James. It’s not an inspiring plan. Nor is adding a Dez Bryant at this juncture in a lost season.
Have the 49ers become the leading candidate in the Nick Bosa sweepstakes? Solomon Thomas is a work in progress. — @JSRFrench
Well, I know another 1-4 team in the Bay Area that could use a pass rusher like Bosa, who indeed poses a better edge-rush threat than Thomas, last year’s No. 3 pick. The 49ers’ top offseason priority indeed is to find a pass rusher, but after using so many top picks on the defensive line, maybe free agency is the best route to use their cap space.
With RB depth thin, could 49ers use Arik Armstead as bait to acquire someone like Tevin Coleman as Falcons are depleted on defense? — @Chucho_723
First, the running back depth: Alfred Morris can take on the starting role in place of Matt Breida, who dodged a more severe ankle sprain but still might miss Monday night. As for Armstead, he could make sense as a trade option for some team but he comes with a 2019 price tag of $9 million if he gets hurt. (And he never gets hurt, right?)
I think it will be Alfred Morris who will carry the team on from here forward. — @W1FAU
I think I’ve learned not to count out Breida since he opened my eyes as an undrafted rookie in 2017 camp. He’s having a breakout year in place of Jerick McKinnon. Durability is a definite issue, however. If Brittle Breida plays through an ankle injury Monday night in Lambeau, I’ll flash back to Frank Gore gutting out a September 2011 ankle injury.
How likely is it that the 49ers fire Robert Saleh at the end of the season and change defensive schemes if the defense continues to underperform? Who would be the top candidates? — @Islandsurfah427
Another week, another “Fire Saleh!” request, even after the defense’s best showing all season. He’ll finish the season unless the tackling and communications issues reignite. Top candidates? Hmmm, in-house, perhaps Jeff Hafley or Jeff Zgonina. I know ex-Raiders coach Jack Del Rio is available, but I haven’t connected dots to him and Shanahan. Don’t hit the brakes on Saleh just yet.
Are there any doubts in the organization that John Lynch and Shanahan might have been the wrong choice? Are there any decisions that KS and JL regret? — @BenjaminMoser_
There better not be any doubts, or I’ll unearth my notebooks from the Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly years. As for regrets by Shanahan or Lynch, I’m sure they have some, including draft and free agency hiccups, but their biggest regret may be not owning a rabbit’s-foot keychain.
Should Kyle be on twitter? A lot of ppl are saying that for Kyle to “be best” he should have direct access to the fan base. — @sf49erbob
I’d think 49ers fans would prefer Shanahan spend time conjuring up how an injury-ravaged offense might “be best” in the red zone. (See how I did that in under 140 characters; no need for 280.)
Record prediction? — @Leisure_ Rules
Originally, 10-6 when training camp opened. Now, 6-10 will take some heavy lifting but it’s doable, if the Cardinals (rematch), Raiders, Giants, Broncos and Seahawks cooperate.
How will the 49ers continue to keep fans interested in watching their games without making adjustments? — @l3thal2
So you don’t gamble or play fantasy football? What kind of NFL fan are you?! You must have only shown up for the Garoppolo bobblehead in Week 2.