My grades. As a disclaimer if I criticize Tua or McDaniel, it does not mean I think they are structurally awful, it just means they had a bad day. However, the discussion of the defense and Josh Boyer I think is a structural issue and goes beyond having just a bad day. I will also say it is not that we lost that pisses me off (I thought we might lose), it is the how and why we lost that pisses me off. Makes me wonder if the team has what it takes to win big high pressure games against better teams. If they don't, the better record and the fun offense is just lipstick on a pig. Granted a much better product than the last 20 years, but still not good enough. I want championships!
McDaniel: F. Despite his comments that the game was not about him, McDaniel sure coached like it was. Seemed like a terribly narcissistic gameplan designed to show his old boss how smart he was with regard to all the fancy plays in the passing game. Interesting that the old run game coordinator didn't even try to commit to the run. Especially when Tua was struggling and was all sped up. Mike, this is the NFL and not a video game. Sometimes it is OK to try and control the ball and win ugly. Especially when the other team has a 7th round rookie playing. Found the playcalling terrible, the decision making terrible (going for it on 4th), and game management terrible. There is a difference between being an OC and a head coach. Great OC, but the head coach has to act like a head coach as well and manage the game, and also involve yourself with the defense.
Josh Boyer and the Defense: F minus minus. That was embarrassing. 7th round rookie with no reps. Just take away Deebo and McCaffrey, not complicated. And teach your players to tackle. McDaniel going for it on 4th down from our own 19 with a lot of time left on the clock tells you McDaniel had zero confidence in the defense to stop the 49ers. That decision was asinine. You miss the conversion, the game is over. You punt, all you have to do is stop the rookie 7th round QB, and you get the ball back. If we have this little confidence in the defense, why did we trade for Bradley Chubb (quite the contrast between him and Bosa), why does Boyer have a job, and why does McDaniel absolve himself of all responsibility for the defense and leave Boyer to scheme the whole game plan by himself as well as handle all of the adjustments? I put this on McDaniel too for ignoring that side of the ball. Again, you are now a head coach, and not just an OC. As the head coach, you need to involve yourself with the defense.
Tua: F. It is not that he was bad that bothers me. It happens. It was the why he was bad that has me concerned. He seemed scared and nervous. It was a choke in the big moment. All the high and in-accurate throws are the giveaway. High balls are what happen when you are nervous. I think he was all sped up. Armstead was out, and he probably got into his own head all week thinking he was going to be under constant duress, and psyched himself out. Had good protection, and was missing throws and making bad reads. Granted I am speculating, but it just feels that way. Tua just choked in the moment. The elite QBs do it under pressure, and under adversity. Look at Burrow for example (thanks Flores). That is what it takes to win Super Bowls. Does Tua have it or not? We will find out down the stretch, especially against Buffalo in the cold.
