I certainly LOVED watching RS's returns - how could you NOT? Electric! One of the things that is annoying about watching only on TV is not seeing what RS was seeing when he chose to run it or fair-catch it -- often on the 10!!! He apparently has a great eye to see potential openings upfield. But his power, (I read somewhere) is in his track and field training (and genetics from a family of track and field) so he can run the straight line with best. Can he catch with the best? Not a track and field skill necessarily. Does seem a hefty price from the usually stingy JS. Hoping for magic!
I heard someone making the case for KC Concepcion in the draft argue that a good punt/kickoff returner with some receiving usage, plus a few rushes from scrimmage actually touches the ball often enough (possibly more than anybody but the #1 RB and JSN) to justify the pick/salary. They weren't talking about Shaheed, but the argument holds. If Shaheed, either through intimidation or actual return yardage buys us 5-10 additional yards/average on every change of possession, that's worth a lot. So the argument goes.
Yes, toward the end of the season and in the playoffs, on many occasions they just kicked it deep on the KO and conceded a 35 yard return, or they kicked it really high and shorter than normal to force a fair catch. No return, but they gave up 10 yards on the kick itself.
I agree with the notion that RS will be much more fully integrated as a receiver this year, and I expect (hope?) Sam and Rasheed will do some off season work together to find a groove with each other.
From what I have been reading, I think Horton will be a full go (baring another injury) by pre-season. Alternating Rasheed and Horton on KO’s & PR’s will keep both fresh and threatening. Last year, the 9ers basically conceded putting the ball on the 35 rather than kick to Rasheed again. Others will likely do the same in 2026, leaving us only needing to go ~ 30 yards to kick a field goal. That is a great position to be in. Our receiving corps will be very formidable, especially if they can get Arroyo to play a “Big Receiver” role. As to O-Line, I agree with Scott M, AB is really hard to watch and allowed numerous early pressures/ sacks on Sam. I also agree with Danno on Rasheed being more effective and needing the passing game to grow and evolve this year, and I expect it will. Can’t wait!!!!
After re-watching the season a few more times...we need to keep adding to the o line. Especially at guard. We have little depth if Zabel goes down...ooof. AB is hard to watch sometimes. Everyone along the o line had bad moments, but AB was more regularly allowing his assignment to go free. Stack the trenches if at all possible.
I like RS, he's a smart player. He's got good speed. He might be over paid if you look at his productivity in a vacuum. Without his contributions we might not be champs. I'm guessing he gets better as we go forward. With time and familiarity there's a reasonable expectation he continues to assimilate.
I’ve always maintained Shaheed is a much better receiver than we’ve seen so far. He got 499 yards in 9 games with the Saints as the number two receiver. I believe Darnold and Shaheed will find their groove. After all, they only had a very limited time to work together and then Darnold was put in bubble wrap in between games to deal with the oblique injury. I maintain 700+ yards for him this season. I think Horton will be about as effective. The two will be interchangeable as #2 and #3 receiver. This year Darnold will dial up the passing numbers. Losing Charbs for most of this season and K9 for all of it will require a bit more emphasis on passing production and Darnold will deliver. 500+ more passing yards. 10-12 more passing TDs, and he will cut turnovers in half.
Last year was as close to 50% run plays and 50% passing plays. 2097 yards rushing and just over 4000 yards passing. So although we ran as often as we passes the ball, we got twice as many yards but passing it. Can Holani get 1000 yards? Maybe. But unless someone steps up and plays better than they ever did, or we draft someone who outperforms what is expected, we will likely drop off by 300-400 yards rushing and need to add 500+ in the passing game.
Hope Horton is OK...sounds like he's still not back to baseline. That's not a great sign...it could flare up again. I'm starting to look at replacement wr in draft just in case. Love me some Elijah Sarrat.
Horton posted in the last day or two on some social media. I don’t really do social media. He said he’s going to see you all soon or something to the effect he is going to be back soon and ready for the season.
I think that must be true, otherwise Schneider wouldn’t have been so nonchalant with his extension. But he has one particular element that drives me nuts: too much arms flailing in the air while the ball’s still in the air. Almost like his route objective is PI rather than TD. Would much rather see some playing strength and fighting till the last second to make a contested catch
I certainly LOVED watching RS's returns - how could you NOT? Electric! One of the things that is annoying about watching only on TV is not seeing what RS was seeing when he chose to run it or fair-catch it -- often on the 10!!! He apparently has a great eye to see potential openings upfield. But his power, (I read somewhere) is in his track and field training (and genetics from a family of track and field) so he can run the straight line with best. Can he catch with the best? Not a track and field skill necessarily. Does seem a hefty price from the usually stingy JS. Hoping for magic!
I heard someone making the case for KC Concepcion in the draft argue that a good punt/kickoff returner with some receiving usage, plus a few rushes from scrimmage actually touches the ball often enough (possibly more than anybody but the #1 RB and JSN) to justify the pick/salary. They weren't talking about Shaheed, but the argument holds. If Shaheed, either through intimidation or actual return yardage buys us 5-10 additional yards/average on every change of possession, that's worth a lot. So the argument goes.
Yes, toward the end of the season and in the playoffs, on many occasions they just kicked it deep on the KO and conceded a 35 yard return, or they kicked it really high and shorter than normal to force a fair catch. No return, but they gave up 10 yards on the kick itself.
I agree with the notion that RS will be much more fully integrated as a receiver this year, and I expect (hope?) Sam and Rasheed will do some off season work together to find a groove with each other.
From what I have been reading, I think Horton will be a full go (baring another injury) by pre-season. Alternating Rasheed and Horton on KO’s & PR’s will keep both fresh and threatening. Last year, the 9ers basically conceded putting the ball on the 35 rather than kick to Rasheed again. Others will likely do the same in 2026, leaving us only needing to go ~ 30 yards to kick a field goal. That is a great position to be in. Our receiving corps will be very formidable, especially if they can get Arroyo to play a “Big Receiver” role. As to O-Line, I agree with Scott M, AB is really hard to watch and allowed numerous early pressures/ sacks on Sam. I also agree with Danno on Rasheed being more effective and needing the passing game to grow and evolve this year, and I expect it will. Can’t wait!!!!
After re-watching the season a few more times...we need to keep adding to the o line. Especially at guard. We have little depth if Zabel goes down...ooof. AB is hard to watch sometimes. Everyone along the o line had bad moments, but AB was more regularly allowing his assignment to go free. Stack the trenches if at all possible.
I like RS, he's a smart player. He's got good speed. He might be over paid if you look at his productivity in a vacuum. Without his contributions we might not be champs. I'm guessing he gets better as we go forward. With time and familiarity there's a reasonable expectation he continues to assimilate.
I’ve always maintained Shaheed is a much better receiver than we’ve seen so far. He got 499 yards in 9 games with the Saints as the number two receiver. I believe Darnold and Shaheed will find their groove. After all, they only had a very limited time to work together and then Darnold was put in bubble wrap in between games to deal with the oblique injury. I maintain 700+ yards for him this season. I think Horton will be about as effective. The two will be interchangeable as #2 and #3 receiver. This year Darnold will dial up the passing numbers. Losing Charbs for most of this season and K9 for all of it will require a bit more emphasis on passing production and Darnold will deliver. 500+ more passing yards. 10-12 more passing TDs, and he will cut turnovers in half.
Without Walker, not clear when Charbs is back, are we back to relying on our passing game? We seemingly won through the run last year, no?
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have another 1000+ yard RB on the team this year. But based on past history, I don’t think we have one currently.
Last year was as close to 50% run plays and 50% passing plays. 2097 yards rushing and just over 4000 yards passing. So although we ran as often as we passes the ball, we got twice as many yards but passing it. Can Holani get 1000 yards? Maybe. But unless someone steps up and plays better than they ever did, or we draft someone who outperforms what is expected, we will likely drop off by 300-400 yards rushing and need to add 500+ in the passing game.
Hope Horton is OK...sounds like he's still not back to baseline. That's not a great sign...it could flare up again. I'm starting to look at replacement wr in draft just in case. Love me some Elijah Sarrat.
Here is someone else posting about Horton and Kenny Mac:
https://youtu.be/4VBXSmh8OFs?si=rCiPrXINpv527A16
Horton posted in the last day or two on some social media. I don’t really do social media. He said he’s going to see you all soon or something to the effect he is going to be back soon and ready for the season.
I think that must be true, otherwise Schneider wouldn’t have been so nonchalant with his extension. But he has one particular element that drives me nuts: too much arms flailing in the air while the ball’s still in the air. Almost like his route objective is PI rather than TD. Would much rather see some playing strength and fighting till the last second to make a contested catch
Yeah. I see him conceding a dropped pass rather than contest it. My hope is Kupp finds ways to work with him.
I’ll take 499 times 20/9 and he can run with as much arm flair as he wants ;)
Has anyone else read Football by Chuck Klosterman? If you like me, I think you’ll like that book.
Thanks I still read a book (paper, not e-style) every day for at least 1 hour.