49ers mailbag: Putting this offense, George Kittle, No. 1 seed into historical perspective
The NFC-leading 49ers are playing their best offense in at least 25 years, and the upcoming playoffs offer tight end George Kittle to cement his place in franchise lore.
SANTA CLARA – Time to get to the 49ers Faithful’s wish list this holiday season, or at least their questions in our social media mailbox:
Do you think this is the best offense you’ve seen under Kyle Shanahan? (@casiano9679)
Without a doubt. It’s the most impressive/entertaining/consistent/star-laden cast in my 24 seasons covering the 49ers. The early 2000s relied heavily on Hall of Famer Terrell Owens and Jeff Garcia, the 49ers’ most recent Pro Bowl quarterback (21 years ago). The Harbaugh years saw Frank Gore complemented by Alex Smith and then Colin Kaepernick, the latter of which had a dual-threat dominance that flamed out too fast. Mark Purdy, my former Bay Area News Group colleague and no relation to Brock, was on the phone with me Monday, and he thought this team most reminded him of the 1984 championship squad, which I think is their best ever.
Hundred-percent healthy or No. 1 seed, which would you take? (@rogeoneandthelovetts)
The No. 1 seed comes with the playoffs’ only bye for the wild-card round, so there is one less game to get injured – and an extra week to recover from wounds. Here is how far the 49ers have gone as the No. 1 seed (or with home-field advantage):
1981: Super Bowl, win (vs. Bengals)
1984: Super Bowl, win (vs. Dolphins)
1987: NFC divisional round, loss (vs. Vikings)
1989: Super Bowl, win (vs. Broncos)
1990: NFC Championship Game, loss (vs. Giants)
1992: NFC Championship Game, loss (vs. Cowboys)
1994: Super Bowl, win (vs. Dolphins)
1997: NFC Championship Game, loss (vs. Packers)
2019: Super Bowl, loss (vs. Chiefs)
What are your thoughts about the 49ers running the regular-season table? Do the Ravens pose the biggest threat of ruining a nine-game win streak? (@MrEd315)
Actually, the 49ers’ win streak would only reach six with this Sunday’s at Arizona. Then comes No. 7 against the Ravens, No. 8 at the Commanders, No. 9 against the Rams, and Nos. 10-12 through The Lombardi Trophy Dash. They’ve got a way better chance of winning out than their NFC challengers. This week alone sends the Eagles (10-3) and the Cowboys (10-3) to tough road venues in Seattle and Buffalo, respectively, while the red-hot Broncos visit the Lions (9-4).
Is Kittle the best tight end in 49ers history? (@j.mata530)
Statistically, he definitely is, with the most receptions (448) and yards (6,605), plus, probably, the most pancake blocks and SkyCam smiles. Hard to argue others were better physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually, although the late Russ Francis makes a strong case for the latter. But there is a glaring hole in Kittle’s career: a Super Bowl ring. He has one touchdown catch among 25 playoff receptions in nine games. The best is yet to come.
Brent Jones, a fellow fifth-round pick, won three Super Bowls and had five career playoff touchdowns, including one in each of their 1989 team’s playoff wins. Vernon Davis had seven touchdowns in eight playoff games, most notably scoring the game-winner (“The Catch III” or “The Vernon Post”) for their January 2012 epic shootout with the Saints. Also, special shoutout to Monty Stickles (fourth-most yards by a 49ers’ tight end), three-time Pro Bowler Ted Kwalick (49ers’ first touchdown at Candlestick in 1971), Greg Clark (rest in peace, my friend), John Frank, Ted Popson, Jamie Williams, Delanie Walker, Garrett Celek and so many more.
Updates on the injury front? (@richardgx2)
It sounds like the 49ers have avoided any long-term injuries, but with a last-place opponent on deck in Arizona, rushing anyone back into the lineup is not shrewd. That could mean keeping cornerback Charvarius Ward (groin) and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave (hamstring) and Arik Armstead (foot, knee) out, to rest up for the Christmas night visit by the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens. Running back Elijah Mitchell (knee), right guard Spencer Burford (knee) and cornerback Darrell Luter (hamstring) all should resume practicing, but, again, no need to rush them into duty.
Is Jason Verrett going to get promoted from the practice squad weekly or what? (@jsjagga)
Teams can only elevate practice squad players for three games before moving them to the 53-man roster. Verrett first must show he’s recovered from nearly a decade’s worth of leg injuries, then get up to NFL speed. Regardless, his veteran presence is a huge lift in the locker room, the meeting room, and, ideally, the field. He’s played 40 games in 10 years, only 20 since 2016, and 13 since joining the 49ers in 2019. His only Pro Bowl came in 2015, and yet he’s regaled still as a superstar, which speaks well to his character, style and savvy nature.
Some NFL analysts on Twitter have said Deebo takes plays off or doesn’t give full effort on plays he’s not the target or doesn’t get the ball. Have you gotten any indication coaches have noticed that? (@NTPJ_)
Deebo Samuel, real slacker, that guy. Ha! He just had three touchdown catches AND three touchdown runs in sweeping the three-game gauntlet of the Seahawks-Eagles-Seahawks. Receiver. Rusher. Wide back. Kick returner (a risk/reward role best saved for the playoffs). “We always try to get to Deebo to get a spark if you look since he’s been around,” said coach Kyle Shanahan, noting that the more attention Samuel gets from defenses, then that benefits “the other guys” for idyllic distribution.
Lot of big contract news this week in sports. When do you think there will be a $1B contract, in which sport, and why will it be Brock (MV)Purdy? (@neuwb)
The $1 Billion Man surely will be a European league soccer player. Or a ballplayer on a Dodger-deferment plan. Purdy is only two years into a minimum-salary rookie deal ($870,000 this year, $985,000 in 2024), then he becomes eligible for an extension – likely a nine-figure jackpot, though back-to-back Lombardi Trophy wins and multiple MVPs might merit a 10-figure contract over the life of his bionic arm.
Why wouldn’t they give Womack a chance on the inside? Oliver is not any good. (@matty__maff)
Womack got a shot at nickel back at the start of last season, and, he’s developed into one of the better special-teams players. The 49ers loved how Lenoir was playing at nickel back in place of Oliver, but Ward’s injury shifted roles. Coaches continue to commend Oliver, and while he’s obviously not a full-proof option, he’s not a glaring liability. They still must see more in him at practice than Womack.
Deebo and Aiyuk are the best wide receiver pairing the Niners have had since …. ? (@j.mata530)
Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens, 25 years ago, when the 49ers last had two wide receivers reach the 1,000-yard mark. Before that, Rice combined with John Taylor for the 1K combo in 1989 and ’91. The 49ers have not won a Super Bowl during the lifetimes of Samuel (Jan. 15, 1996) and Aiyuk (March 17, 1998), but they could change between their birthdays in two months.