Author: Peter DiPaola
San Francisco went 2-14 in 2016, after the year was over they moved on from head coach Chip Kelly (only coached for one year in San Francisco) and then hired Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to be their head coach.
Shanahan has been in the NFL since 2004 where he entered the NFL with the title of "offensive quality control" he has also been a wide receiver coach, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Along with the experience he brought in players who have experience playing in his offense, quarterback Brian Hoyer (both of them were in Cleveland in 2014), wide receiver Pierre Garcon (Washington 2012-2013) and tight end Logan Paulsen (Washington 2010-2013). Hoyer is coming off a season in which he threw 6 touchdowns and no interceptions in 6 games (5 starts) and he attempted 200 passes. He give the 49ers an experience quarterback with a year in Shanahan's offensive scheme.
Other players that the 49ers have acquired are Marquise Goodwin (WR, Bills), FB Kyle Juszczyk (FB, Ravens), Tim Hightower (RB, Saints) and Malcolm Smith (LB, part of the Seahawks Super Bowl winning team). San Francisco is building a roster with experienced players, they did sign QB Matt Barkley as well, who played in Chicago last season, so he and Hoyer spend time together there, it should also be noted that Logan Paulsen played for the Bears in 2016.
The signing of both Hoyer and Barkley could be a signal that they are not going to draft a quarterback at the number 2 overall pick that they hold in the upcoming draft which means they have flexibility at that pick. They could pick at number 2, perhaps a defensive player or and offensive player if they feel the value is right and of course they could trade back and acquire more picks.
49ers fans could see a team that is more competitive than last year, they added depth to their receiving corp which is good as they ranked dead last in passing yards and 31st in total yards per game. San Francisco has added players on both sides of the ball and new General Manager John Lynch appears to have an early grasp on retooling the 49ers. The 49ers may not have signed what would be considered "flashy names", but it is a start for a team that played in three straight NFC title games (2011-2013) and in a Super Bowl (2012) and then they tumbled to 2-14 last year.
More work will need to be done to continue to improve the roster and their win total in 2017, the draft is where the 49ers can continue their rebuilding of a team, keep an eye out for this silent winner and the draft approaches.
Stats and NFL transactions from: www.nfl.com
Kyle Shanahan's coaching history from: www.pro-football-reference.com
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