Hmmm

They're at it again with this whole layout change thing. This one isn't so bad, though.

Please, God- NOOOOO!!!!

Various sources say that, not only are the Rams up for sale, but....and you're going to need to sit down for this......Eddie effing DeBartolo is considering buying them!!!!!!! You've got to be kidding me with this.

Sure, like Maiocco says- it would be near impossible for Eddie to come anywhere near the success he had in SF...but just the thought of it makes me throw up a little in my mouth. Excuse me, I need to run to the bathroom.

Wait, Kawakami wrote something that isn't terrible?

Yes, he did. Well, to be fair, it doesn't suck only because Mike Martz does most of the talking. Thanks to Jrice80 on the old furom for the link.

We got ourselves a smart-ass (the non insult type) OC people. Some choice quotes:

Last year Jason went through probably what all rookie receivers go through… He just looks like a different guy. And Ashley, he’s got so much ability. I just think I understand where he is and I feel like he’s going to make a real strong contribution.

And BJ is exactly what our personnel guys said about him. Great potential. Those three guys have really kind of stood out with the receiver group. The tight ends: real solid. As are alll three quarterbacks.

...

I’ve got to tell you this, I’ve been in league 17 years and by far the way they went about this draft is best I’ve been exposed to. Very comforting to me to be able to watch the interaction between Scot and Mike, and then to hear the scouts and the whole process.

They’re very thorough, very analytic, they have a plan with how they’re going to draft guys. They don’t vary from the plan, which means you’ve got a very good chance to do it just right. They don’t panic and in my experience when you panic is when things don’t go right.
...
The thing that’s been kind of remarkable with Alex, he’s one of those guys if you tell him something, he take it to the field and do it the first time. Very unusual. Very accurate.

Again, trying to avoid the fiasco that was last year's ridiculously high expectations, but this guy is no Jim Hostler. He actually knows what the eff he's talking about. And as a Nolan hater, this blew me away:

Mike [Nolan's] why I came here, really. This is a great organization. I’ve got great respect for this organization. This organization is known for the way it goes about things with great class and dignity, and that defines Mike too. I was with Mike at Washington–I’ve got such great respect for him. He’s great coach but also a great man. Just somebody I absolutely wanted to work for. Just an outstanding fit for me.

Blowing smoke up his ass? Probably, but he didn't have to blow that much smoke up his ass.

He goes on to throw Hostler under the bus in an extremely polite manner, then gives his early evaluations of the young WRs. Check it out!

Hey Cardinals- didn't anyone tell you you're supposed to suck?

What is going on in Arizona? Sure, it's May, and you can't judge a draft class until 3 years and yada yada yada....but is it possible that the Cardinals might be.....good this year? Neigh- division crown winners???

Their draft was pretty bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s. I will admit to knowing nothing about the guys they drafted after round 3, but their first 3 picks seem like friggen blockbusters to me. Rodgers-Cromartie should be pretty good, and Calais Campbell is a total beast (what is it with our division rivals drafting excellent pass rushers? Stop it!). He only fell to the second round because he struggled in his senior year, but don't be fooled- we now have 6 games a year where we'll be facing a very good pass rush.

Then you've got Doucet. WTF was he doing in the 3rd round?? The last team on earth that needs another super talented WR steal is the Cardinals. My only solace here is that WRs almost always suck in their rookie years, but when you've got Boldin and Fitz, it's alot easier to not suck during your rookie season.

Add this to the Rams getting a stud pass-rusher, and you've got yourself a shytefest to work through. I think the whole "NFC West is the most competitive division everrr!!11!" talk was a year early. Now watch this post become irrelevant in 3 months. Howevuh, let the record show that I'm legitimately concerned about the perinnial crapfest Cardinals actually winning this division.

Man-Child Davis

I love how the 49ers' resident man-child, Vernon Davis, gives it his all on the field. In May.

I think any niners fan has to wonder if VD will ever "get it". He had a quietly competent season in '07, but value-wise, I think fans could argue endlessly (mistaceo-style) over his status as first round "bust".

We talk about 2008 as the make or break year for Alex Smith. That's fine, but he isn't even the starter at the moment. I think it's time for VD to shed his University of Steroidland persona and become one of those impact guys everyone is always yelling about.

Okay, that's all the fan-talk I can summon right now. VD is an idiot. This we know. It's do or die for this fool. Even my favorite player in the NFL, Captain Chaos, thinks VD is overpaid and underperforming.


Various minicamp reports describe the man-child Davis tusseling with with Parys Haralson.

Mike Martz- understands QBs

So, according to Maiocco, Martz is actually, um, working on the mechanics of our $45m QB? Seriously?

Smith and Hill said Martz is changing their mechanics. Smith said he is working a lot on his drops. There are a lot of different variations on the simple drop-back. Hill said Martz is working with him on staying on balance and in rhythm. He is trying to work on using his entire body to throw - and not just using his arm.

This may seem like a little thing, but it's Alex's drop backs and Hill's arm strength that are their respective weaknesses. Hmm, seems to me that this should have been worked on before Smith's fourth year in the league, but what do I know?

Minicamps have started, only ~3 months until we see the guys on the field for the first time. BOO YAAA

Also- welcome to the merc forum members' blog. Everything about it is subject to change, including the name, authors, style, layout, etc. The merc did a great job screwing up their furom, so here we are.